[Beefy 1965]

Evans to City close
Mangala from city in on loan ...........

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/...m-mangala/

[BaggieSteve]

Evans to City close
Mangala from city in on loan ...........

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/...m-mangala/

I accept that Evans will almost certainly go to Man City but I do not want Mangala as part of the deal. I would much prefer Sakho

[BaggieMan]

If it's in The Sun that JE is off to Citeh then it must be true !

[4evaabaggie]

Well, one of the worst kept secrets at the shrine is out, Jonny Evans is leaving for City, almost certainly, possibly, maybe, how do I feel about it?

To be honest I am more disappointed that Fletcher left ........ why?

Both players are class players ..... We were lucky to get them, both played well and put in a shift for us and the team. Evans, hate to say it but, is better than we can hope to achieve right now. Love him at our club, will be sad to see him leave, but he is stepping up to the level he should be at, top four pushing for trophies ...... I thank him for his services and wish him all the best ....... We also make a nice profit to reinvest in the squad to raise our level closer to the top eight standard.
Fletcher, too is probably at a higher level than we can offer right now ......... disappointed more for his departure because he has stepped sideways or slightly down ...... the only attractions I see for joining stoke are Mark Hughes ( man ure connection ) and being slightly closer to home.

Would have been happy if they had both stayed for another couple of seasons ....... but hopefully build a younger more attacking squad to push on, get and hold at least 8th and maybe a cup? And I don't mean "of tea".

Any other thoughts?

[Alouion]

I am not keen on the thought of Mangala. He cost City £40m but has not worked out. However on the plus side we would get an undoubted talented player, who under Pulis, might get the chance to save his flagging career. Moving to WBA has helped one or two people lately to boost their career options. Johnny Evans and Darren Fletcher certainly benefited as did, most notably, Roy Hodgson.
With Mangala as further cover this removes the need to go for Wimmer or Sakho for the time being and enables Pulis to bide his time for the big prize - Ryan Shawcross. He will come into play most likely in the summer as his contract comes close to an end. If he and Pulis can overcome their recent spat, he would be a fabulous addition to our squad if we could get him. He is still only 30 and has over 400 PL appearances behind him. A Gmac mark 2 if ever I saw one.

[Slick_Footwork]

Personally I'd be chuffed if Mangala is part of the deal - as we need 2 centre backs and he will fill one of those voids. I don't think there's enough time to sign two decent defenders permanently...

Let's remember, if Evans goes, we are left with only 4 senior defenders in Nyom, Dawson, Hegazi and McAuley. The latter is 37 and has a serious injury. So far, we've been playing with a midfielder at left back and no senior defender on the bench, which is a huge worry given that Hegazi has suffered from 2 cruciate ligament problems in the past.

Mangala comes in as part of the deal, we've instantly got an extra body in. The lad knows the league and prior to his time at City, has decent pedigree, with several French caps. I think he didn't fit at city because he's not a great 'footballer' but he might be a decent out and out defender, which would suit us. We know Pulis doesn't encourage playing out from the back anyway

This will mean we can use the Evans money to acquire the 2nd centre back and the much needed central midfielder to link the attack and defence.

[BaggieMan]

Now BBC are reporting Leicester have come back with a £23m offer for Evans.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41071705
With two clubs in the running, it should make an interesting few days.

[drewks]

Now BBC are reporting Leicester have come back with a £23m offer for Evans.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41071705
With two clubs in the running, it should make an interesting few days.

Blimey...£23 million, and "West Brom say it is substantially below their valuation."
Maybe just gambling on City now coming in with a bigger offer?
I suppose you've got to factor in what a replacement would cost, but that's still a good price for a 29 year old that cost £8m.
Madness.

[Worldclassalbion]

I think we need to keep Jonny Evans so Man Citeh and Leicester should jog on with their Cheap Ass offers. We are not going to get another defender of his quality for £23m and if you think we are, you are dillusional. We can't spend the money we have got in the kitty so why would this extra money be any good. DO NOT SELL

Ray Wilkins agrees.

https://talksport.com/football/jonny-eva...ex-england

[Beefy 1965]

Well that would be typical after all the hype
However I'm not quite sure the local journos no what's going on TBF !!
Matt Wilson at E&S did not get wind of Burke until he was having his medical

Pulis wants to add four more players to his squad before the window shuts, but sources at the club suggest there will only be one more signing unless Nacer Chadli or Jonny Evans are sold.
Read more at https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/foo...dquWwQr.99

---

Matt Wilson‏Verified account @mattwilson_star 6m6 minutes ago
More
Good move for Jonathan Leko, who has joined Bristol City in the Championship on loan until the end of the season #wba