Arsenal Transfer News: Jonny Evans Deal Reportedly Near, Mathieu Debuchy Rumours

Arsenal are reportedly making progress in their efforts to land West Bromwich Albion defender Jonny Evans, while wantaway Gunner Mathieu Debuchy has been linked with a move in the opposite direction.

The Sun reported West Brom manager Alan Pardew has opened up to a January sale as he looks to make reinforcements of his own, and Arsenal are said to be "on the verge" of a £25 million deal (h/t Metro).

The Gunners have endured some defensive troubles of late, with the younger likes of Calum Chambers and Rob Holding failing to nail down spots, while the more senior Laurent Koscielny, 32, has been out of form for patches of the current campaign.

Sky Sports News presenter Jim White recently provided quotes from Pardew on Evans' situation and the chances of him leaving West Brom this winter: "There's been no bid for Jonny, so there's no decision to be made on that. When that bid comes in or IF it comes in, we'll make a decision."

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Evans has impressed mightily for the Baggies since leaving Manchester United for the Hawthorns in 2015, although there's little guarantee the 30-year-old would step into the starting XI at the Emirates Stadium.

Goal's Sam Lee recently commented on Manchester City also being linked with a move for West Brom's captain, their interest stretching back to last summer, when Arsenal were also linked with his name.

Shkodran Mustafi has looked like Arsenal's most impressive central defender this season, but Koscielny has shown cracks while Nacho Monreal continues to perform outside of his natural full-back habitat.

Evans would make for a useful recruit in that regard, and it would help with Arsenal's UEFA Europa League options that the Northern Ireland international would also be readily available to feature in the competition.

Elsewhere, French newspaper L'Equipe reported West Brom are seeking an Arsenal man of their own and have eyes for right-back Debuchy, who has struggled to fit in Wenger's first-team plans this season (h/t Uche Amako of the Daily Express).

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The 32-year-old has shown promise again this term after several injury-hit seasons, during a six-month spell on loan at Bordeaux, and with Spanish youngster Hector Bellerin having excelled to take the starting right-back spot.

Debuchy is prepared to leave the Emirates, too, after recently telling French radio station RMC (h/t James Benge of the Evening Standard): “I want to leave, to find a new challenge in January. The fact I’m playing well will give me opportunities. We’ll see if there are good opportunities in the transfer window. I’m open.”

West Brom appear to be one outfit open to offering the player a route out of north London in January, with Debuchy likely to be available for a lesser fee before he becomes a free agent in the summer.