Arsenal want Jonny Evans but face competition from Manchester City and Leicester for West Brom captain

Arsene Wenger initially wanted Evans last summer but decided instead to sign Shkodran Mustafi and now Wenger is trying to replace Mustafi with Evans himself

Jonny Evans is at the centre of a three-way battle for his signature (Getty)

Arsenal have joined Manchester City and Leicester City for the signature of West Bromwich Albion centre-back Jonny Evans.

All three teams need more experience in defence this season, and Manchester City and Leicester City have both had second bids of close to £23million rejected for the Northern Ireland international. West Brom want closer to £30m for the former Manchester United man.

But Arsenal have joined the race for Evans this week as Arsene Wenger tries to tighten up his leaky defence.

Wenger has decided that Shkodran Mustafi will leave Arsenal and the Germany international is close to a move to Italy to join Inter.

Wenger initially wanted Evans last summer but decided instead to sign Mustafi from Valencia for £30m, a move which did not work out, and now Wenger is trying to replace Mustafi with Evans himself.

Manchester City have been leading the chase for Evans, bidding £18m and £22m for a defender Guardiola thinks can bring top-level experience to his team.

City did consider a move for Middlesbrough’s Ben Gibson and nearly bid £20m for him last week only to be warned off the move by Middlesbrough themselves.

If they want a new centre-back now they will have to go close to West Brom’s £30m valuation for Evans.