According to reports in The Mirror, Newcastle United are one of a number of Premier League clubs interested in signing West Bromwich Albion defender Jonny Evans, who earns £45,000-a-week at the Hawthorns according to The Sun, this summer.

What's the word, then?

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Well, The Mirror says that the Magpies, along with top flight rivals West Ham United, Leicester City, Everton and Crystal Palace, are all keen on the 30-year-old, who will be available for just £3m if the Baggies are relegated from the Premier League.

That could be confirmed as early as this weekend as they currently lie eight points from safety with just nine left to play for, and the Northern Ireland international certainly doesn’t look as though he would be dropping into the Championship with the west Midlands outfit.

How has Evans done this season?

He has been one of the club's more consistent performers in what has been a difficult campaign, although he has only actually appeared in two of their four Premier League wins this term having missed the other two in August when he was injured.

Nevertheless, the 30-year-old has often shown his experience and his calmness in possession, although he will regret being involved in the infamous Barcelona taxi incident when former boss Alan Pardew took the squad away on a mid-season training break earlier this year.

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Would he be a good signing for Newcastle?

He certainly would be, and it should be one the fans, who have revealed on Twitter that they are desperate for more firepower, would be more than satisfied with.

The experienced centre-back would be the perfect partner for Toon skipper Jamaal Lascelles, who continues to impress but could still learn from a player that has played so many games in the Premier League, in Europe and for his country.

Florian Lejeune and Ciaran Clark have done well when called upon, but Rafa Benitez may feel that a player like Evans can help take them to the next level.

The fact that he is available for just £3m is of course another huge positive, as it wouldn't eat too far into the Spaniard's summer budget for new players – whatever that may be.