According to reports in The Telegraph, West Bromwich Albion have turned down an £18m offer from Manchester City for defender Jonny Evans.

The Telegraph says that Citizens manager Pep Guardiola has identified the Northern Ireland international as a shock summer target as he looks to strengthen his central defensive options, having already boosted in the full-back positions by bringing in Benjamin Mendy, Danilo and Kyle Walker.

The Telegraph says that City are expected to return with an improved offer for the 29-year-old, although the Baggies are keen to tie Evans down to a new £85,000-a-week contract with his current deal running out in less than two years.

Meanwhile, Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez has endured a somewhat frustrating summer in the transfer market, and he is still looking for four new players before the window slams shut at the end of this month after signing Stoke City forward Joselu on Wednesday.

Here are three reasons Newcastle should hijack Man City's bid to sign Evans…

Ability

While some may have raised their eyebrows that Manchester City are interested in Evans, West Bromwich Albion supporters in particular certainly won’t be too surprised.

The 29-year-old has been an impressive and consistent performer for the Baggies since moving to the Hawthorns from Manchester United in 2015, and it showed in his stats last season.

The Northern Ireland international showed his defensive capabilities by making 157 clearances and 82 interceptions in 31 Premier League appearances, while he also won 40 headed duels.

It is perhaps his ability on the ball that is most impressive though, and he had a passing accuracy of 81% last term, and showed his ability to bring the ball out from the back by successfully completing 23 of the 26 take-ons he attempted in the top flight.

Experience/Leadership

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Newcastle United centre-backs Jamaal Lascelles, Florian Lejuene, Chancel Mbemba and Ciaran Clark don’t exactly have an abundance of Premier League experience, and it is an area that Rafa Benitez would probably like to add to before the transfer window slams shut at the end of this month.

Having made more than 200 Premier League appearances for Manchester United, Sunderland and West Brom, Evans certainly has that know-how and experience that is required at this level and he would be able to give the younger members of the defence like Lascelles and Mbemba a helping hand.

In addition, the 29-year-old is a leader and he has shown that by captaining the Baggies and that influence and vocal impact in the backline could prove to be key for the Magpies as they look to avoid being involved in a relegation battle.

First-team football

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While Evans may be keen on a move to Manchester City for the chance to play in the Champions League and win trophies, one of the reasons he would have left Manchester United for West Brom in the first place would have been the opportunity to play more regular football.

Of course, the 29-year-old could choose to stay at the Hawthorns if he wasn’t convinced that he would break past the likes of Vincent Kompany, John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi at the Etihad, but if he does want out then he would undoubtedly be one of the first names on the team-sheet if he did sign for Newcastle.

Do you agree, Magpies fans? Let us know below.