Arsenal Reportedly Bid Just £8M in Deadline-Day Move for Jonny Evans

Arsenal reportedly offered West Bromwich Albion just £8 million in their attempt to sign centre-back Jonny Evans on transfer deadline day. 

According to the Daily Star's Luke Gardener, the Gunners were keen to strengthen their back line and approached the Baggies for the experienced Northern Ireland international. However, their bid was rejected. 

Evans, 30, has been excellent for West Brom in 2017-18 and was linked with numerous top clubs during the January transfer window, including Premier League leaders Manchester City, who were linked with a £27 million bid, per Goal's Chris Burton.

The Sky Blues ended up signing 23-year-old Aymeric Laporte from Athletic Bilbao for £57 million, leaving the door open for Arsenal to move for Evans.

Given the current market, however, Evans' quality and the fact his West Brom contract still has 18 months left to run make Arsenal's reported £8 million offer somewhat laughable.

The former Manchester United man only turned 30 on January 3 and could have three or four years left playing at the top level.

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Arsenal's centre-back options have been lacking for some time, and even the previously reliable Laurent Koscielny has endured some poor form this season.

Evans is a three-time Premier League winner who could have been a fine addition to the Gunners' back line, but it is little surprise West Brom were dismissive of the late £8 million bid.

Despite losing Olivier Giroud and Alexis Sanchez, the Gunners enjoyed a largely successful January transfer window as they signed Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, while Mesut Ozil has reportedly signed a new contract.

However, while Arsenal's attack remains in good health, they are still weak in the defensive department and did little to address those issues in January.

Evans could be a target again for Arsenal in the summer, when he could have just a year left on his Baggies contract and may be available relatively cheaply.