Jonny Evans will be the subject of a transfer tug-of-war between Arsenal and Manchester City in January, according to reports.
The Gunners made a late swoop for the player on deadline day this summer but had an offer of around £25m turned down. However, they could make a fresh approach in order to secure a replacement for the soon-to-be-retired Per Mertesacker.
Meanwhile, The Telegraph reports that league leaders City are also interested in the Northern Irishman to bolster their own defence.
The Baggies captain has started 11 of the side's 14 Premier League games this season, scoring once in the process, and the club face a dilemma as to whether to sell the player on in January to fund spending for new manager Alan Pardew.
"I think the assurance I need is probably from Jonny more than anybody," Pardew said of Evans's future.
"He's a fabulous player and very important for the club so I will have a good old discussion with him.
"I know from my experience at Newcastle you can lose key players in January, you need to be on your guard to replace them.
"I will have to see how we go and assess the squad quickly. It's good enough to stay up but when I look at the clubs who are involved, particularly around the relegation area, I know they're going to do business. You can't take our eye off that."
Evans is currently contracted at The Hawthorns until the end of the 2018-19 season.
Dan Saney
