O'Neill: Evans would be cheap at £20m

Jonathan Porter/Press Eye
Published 22nd Jun 2017

Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill believes Jonny Evans' pricetag of £20m makes him 'cheap' when compared to other Premier League defenders.

The West Brom centre half finds himself the subject of a pursuit by Leicester City.

The Foxes have apparently failed with bids of £10m and £15m - but it's been suggested an additional £5m will tempt the Baggies into a sale.

Such a pricetag could raise a few eyebrows in England where Evans is perhaps underappreciated - but O'Neill says it would more of a bargain than people realise.

"As I've said many times, when I look around the Premier League and look at British centre halves I see the best of them in Gary Cahill and Chris Smalling. For me, Jonny Evans is every bit as good as them. He's a player that can play right at the top level of the Premier League."

Having been a Premier League regular for 8 years, racking up more than 50 international appearances along the way, Evans' experience is one of his most sought-after traits.

Should Leicester give in and meet West Brom's valuation, it's likely Evans will make the move - something Michael O'Neill believes will only benefit his career. ""If he does go to Leicester then yeah it's a good move for him. Is he worth £20m? He was an absolute bargain at £6m when West Brom got him, and I still believe he would be a bargain at £20m in the current market. Given as well what people are talking about, valuing Southampton's Virgil van Dyke at £50m - well that makes Jonny seem cheap at £20m."