West Bromwich Albion head coach Alan Pardew has suggested that the Baggies will offer Jonny Evans a new contract should any bids be made for his signature in January.
During the summer, Evans was linked with a move to either Arsenal or Manchester City and despite the Northern Ireland international remaining at The Hawthorns, more interest is expected at the start of 2018.
However, while claiming that no offers have been made for his key man, Pardew has indicated that the West Midlands outfit will do all they can to keep the centre-back at the club.
The 56-year-old told reporters: "We all have to be intelligent and straightforward about how we deal with it. He's under contract with West Brom and that's how it remains until such time as there's a bid that makes it any different.
"When you talk about a new contract, he knows he can have those conversations with us. If we can keep Jonny, of course we'll give him the deal we could possibly go to in terms of length and the financial side, but that might not be the whole thing for Jonny. I'm just trying to get him in a place where he performs well under this scrutiny.
"He's been up for the battle for us and hasn't caused me any kind of negativity that sometimes players in that position can do. On my report he gets a big tick, and in terms of a new contract it's a big tick too. But that's for Jonny's agent and the club to come to."
Middlesbrough defender Ben Gibson has been linked with a move to the Baggies should Evans leave in the coming weeks.
Darren Plant
