Leicester City looking to snap up West Brom captain Jonny Evans

Evans has a £3million relegation release clause in his contract, but his agent is also believed to be negotiating a £4m signing-on fee.

The Foxes have been long-term admirers of the 30-year-old, and had a £21m bid for the Northern Irishman rejected last summer.

Manchester City and Arsenal also made bids last season but it’s believed they have cooled their interest for now.

That leaves Leicester in pole position to sign the centre-back, and the East Midlanders are keen to get the deal done as soon as possible to stop other clubs from swooping in.

The summer transfer window for both the Premier League and the Football League is already open.

Evans has one year left on his contract after signing a four-year deal when he joined the Baggies in the summer of 2015 for £6m.

But he is expected to leave the club this summer due to the modest release clause in his contract.

Evans has been named in the Northern Ireland squad for the upcoming friendlies with Panama and Costa Rica alongside Albion defender Gareth McAuley – although Chris Brunt is considering retiring from international football and is not in the squad.

“Jonny has spoken of how he appreciates it now more than ever and wants to get to 100 caps as soon as possible,” said Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill.

“That's nice to hear from the senior players and we have experienced names in that squad.

"Gareth has indicated to me as long as he is playing club football he will play international football.

“You look at Gareth now in the Championship with West Brom and, suddenly, there are more games and the demands are higher in terms of the frequency.”