Arsenal Transfer News: Gunners Jonny Evans Bid Reportedly Rejected

Arsenal reportedly had a bid for West Bromwich Albion centre-back Jonny Evans rejected on deadline day of the January transfer window.

Sky Sports' Paul Gilmour first reported how the Gunners were rebuffed on Wednesday:

Telegraph Football's John Percy revealed what Arsenal bid:

Meanwhile, Gilmour's colleague, Rob Dorsett, provided more details of the approach and why it may have failed:

Arsenal did pay £56 million to sign Gabon international striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang earlier on Wednesday, per BBC Sport. It's a club-record deal that may have left the Gunners unable to also bolster their struggling defence.

Even though they rejected Arsenal's offer, the Baggies still left Evans out for the trip to face Premier League leaders Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

Mark McIntosh of The Sun tweeted there was still interest in Evans, despite manager Alan Pardew offering a simple explanation for the Northern Ireland international's absence:

Arsenal missing out would rate as a blow since the north Londoners have been vulnerable defensively recently. The Gunners shipped three goals in a defeat to relegation-threatened Swansea City on Tuesday.

It means Arsenal have now conceded 34 league goals, the most of any side in the top six. Problems at the back are the main reason the Gunners find themselves eight points adrift of fourth place and a spot in next season's UEFA Champions League.

More than talent, individual mistakes have been the main issue for manager Arsene Wenger's side, per WhoScored.com:

Evans would help rectify those errors thanks to his experience of life in England's top flight. A former title-winner with Manchester United, the 30-year-old remains commanding in the air and steady on the deck, both as a ball-winner and in possession.

What Arsenal lack is a steadying presence at the back, the kind Evans would provide.

Wenger is obviously aware of the need to bolster his defence, with rumours circling on deadline day that Arsenal are looking at several centre-backs.

BBC Sport's David Ornstein, citing David Woods of the Daily Star, named two defenders on Wenger's radar earlier in the day:

However, Ornstein soon ruled out a move for Chelsea's David Luiz after the Blues had signed Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud. Meanwhile, the Guardian's Fabrizio Romano gave short shrift to the idea of the Gunners wrapping up a deal for Greece international Kostas Manolas of Serie A side AS Roma.

Not adding to what is a defence bereft of physical dominance and natural assurance would likely leave a bitter taste at the end of what has been an otherwise hugely successful window for Arsenal.

Aubameyang and fellow import Henrikh Mkhitaryan will boost the second-most goal-shy attack in the top six. Yet plenty will still expect a top-heavy side to come undone consistently thanks to a leaky defence not strengthened this winter.