FOOTBALL: West Brom reject Arsenal bid for Jonny Evans

The Gunners were almost instantly dismissed with the clubs far apart on their valuation of the Northern Ireland international.

Arsenal spent around £56million to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund early on Tuesday but were never close to any deal for Evans.

Albion did not want to sell Evans but recognised they may have needed to cash in to strengthen the squad, more specifically in attack, for their battle against relegation.

But the loan signing of Daniel Sturridge from Liverpool on Tuesday beefed up the forward line.

They have been able to keep skipper Evans in the last two windows after Arsenal, Manchester City and Leicester all expressed an interest in the summer.

Albion had valued Evans at £30million in the last window and it would have taken a bid of over £20million to even bring them to the table this time.

Boss Alan Pardew had previously said any clubs wanting Evans would have to bid at least three days before the deadline to allow the Baggies to strengthen themselves.

They still stand to lose the former Manchester United centre-back in the summer though, when he will have just a year left on his contract.

Evans is unlikely to sign a new deal at The Hawthorns after a season of struggle and Albion may be forced to cash in.

He reportedly has a £3million release clause should the Baggies get relegated from the Premier League.