According to reports in The Mirror, West Ham United are ready to enter the race to sign West Bromwich Albion defender Jonny Evans at the end of the season.

What’s the word, then?

Well, The Mirror says that Irons boss David Moyes is a huge fan of the £25m-rated centre-back, who can also play as a left-back, and he could be available for as little as £3m at the end of the season if the Baggies are relegated from the Premier League because of a clause in his contract.

The Mirror says that Moyes is keen to sign at least one central defender this summer after Jose Fonte left to go to the Chinese Super League last month, but he could face competition from top flight rivals Leicester City and Everton, while Arsenal and Manchester City also wanted the Northern Ireland international during the January transfer window.

How has Evans done this term?

It’s fair to say it’s been a poor season for West Brom and they lie bottom of the Premier League table and seven points from safety with just 10 matches of the campaign remaining.

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Evans has been one of their most consistent performers however, even though he captained the team on a run of 19 top flight fixtures without a win, before he finally tasted success for the first time against Brighton and Hove Albion on January 13 having missed the two victories they picked up against Bournemouth and Burnley at the start of the campaign.

Manager Alan Pardew stripped the 30-year-old of the captaincy after he was one of four players that stole a taxi during a mid-season break in Barcelona last month, although he was reinstated one match later.

Would he be a good signing for West Ham?

While things haven’t gone brilliantly well for West Brom or Evans this season, there is no doubting the quality and leadership skills that he has, and he would certainly add something to the Irons’ backline.

The 30-year-old is a good defender and is also experienced and comfortable on the ball, and if the Baggies do go down and he can be purchased for just £3m then it would certainly be a no-brainer for West Ham to move for him.

However, if the west Midlands outfit do stay up the Northern Irishman would likely cost a lot more, and Moyes would be wise to look elsewhere instead.