Arsenal Transfer News: Jonny Evans Move Planned and More Rumours

Arsenal remain keen on making a move for West Bromwich Albion centre-back Jonny Evans during the remainder of the January transfer window, according to Ed Malyon of The Independent.

Malyon noted how Evans not signing a new contract "means he is likely to leave in the summer if not by the end of January." The chances of him leaving during the winter window will increase if Arsenal make a bid, with Malyon noting the Baggies want £20 million for the 30-year-old.

Arsenal have been stepping up efforts to bring ex-Manchester United defender Evans to north London, per Jeremy Wilson and James Ducker of the Daily Telegraph:

"Transfer negotiator Dick Law was at Arsenal’s training ground on Tuesday and is understood to be working on the Evans deal, with manager Arsene Wenger admitting earlier in the day that Arsenal were trying to sign at least two players."

Wilson and Ducker reported the Gunners intend to sign Evans along with Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang this month.

However, BBC Sport's David Ornstein believes the Gunners only have room for one more incoming, having already acquired Henrikh Mkhitaryan as part of the deal to send Alexis Sanchez to Manchester United:

While Aubameyang's pace and goals would be welcome, Evans represents a bigger need for Arsenal. A shaky defence has undermined the Gunners, who have conceded 31 goals, the most of any team in the top six of the Premier League.

Injuries and poor form have been an issue, with Laurent Koscielny and Nacho Monreal both missing time. Per Mertesacker is set to retire this summer, while Calum Chambers and Rob Holding have failed to become regulars in the starting XI.

Manager Arsene Wenger's habit of flip-flopping between playing a back four and three at the back also hasn't helped. What Wenger's defence needs more than continuity in tactics is greater aggression and experience.

Evans would provide it as a player who won major trophies with United and is comfortable with the physical brand of football played in England's top flight. He's decisive and commanding in the air, as well as comfortable in possession.

Staying fit has sometimes been an issue for the Northern Ireland international, but Evans still represents an upgrade on many of Arsenal's other centre-backs.

The Gunners' chances of signing the player have increased as rivals Manchester City are pursuing a deal for Athletic Bilbao's Aymeric Laporte. City prefer Laporte over Evans and believe a deal worth £60 million (€70 million) will be enough to land the player, according to Guillem Balague of Sky Sports.

City's interest in Laporte could also have implications for Arsenal's defensive options. A report from Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo (h/t Geoff Sweet of The Sun) says Athletic would look to replace Laporte with Monreal.

Arsenal's chances of doing a deal for Evans are increased further by the potential arrival of a possible replacement in the West Brom squad. The Baggies have reportedly agreed terms on a loan deal for Zamalek defender Ali Gabr, per Sky Sports' Rob Dorsett.

Gabr would join fellow Egypt international Ahmed Hegazi at the Hawthorns. Replacing Evans now would make sense for West Brom, since the player will be able to leave for just £3 million in the summer if the club is relegated from the Premier League, according to Sky Sports News.

The Baggies remain second from bottom and three points adrift of safety.

Signing Evans wouldn't generate many headlines, but it would be a sensible move for an Arsenal squad vulnerable at the back. If the Gunners can't do a deal for Evans, they will pursue Mainz centre-back Abdou Diallo, per John Cross of the Daily Mirror.

The fact Arsenal are looking at more than one option at the position shows Wenger is aware strengthening the defence will be at least as important as retooling his side's attack this winter.