West Brom boss Alan Pardew is willing to offer the defender an improved contract despite interest from top Premiership clubs in the 29 year old.

"You have to be realistic in these situations," said the Baggies chief.

"Jonny Evans is a top player and there were other clubs who were interested in him in the summer - I know that and so does he.

"We all have to be intelligent and straightforward about how we deal with it. He's under contract with West Brom and that's how it remains until such time as there's a bid that makes it any different.

"When you talk about a new contract, he knows he can have those conversations with us. If we can keep Jonny, of course we'll give him the deal we could possibly go to in terms of length and the financial side.

"But that might not be the whole thing for Jonny. I'm just trying to get him in a place where he performs well under this scrutiny.

"He's been up for the battle for us and hasn't caused me any kind of negativity that sometimes players in that position can do.

"On my report he gets a big tick, and in terms of a new contract it's a big tick too. But that's for Jonny's agent and the club to come to."