Michael O'Neill: Sir Alex Ferguson was shocked at Jonny Evans' West Brom move
Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill has claimed Sir Alex Ferguson was left speechless by ex-Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal's decision to sell Jonny Evans to West Brom.
Evans has gone on to be an integral member of Tony Pulis' first team and is set to be offered a new £100,000-a-week deal including the captaincy to stay at the Hawthorns.
Evans was sold for just £6m, but is now valued in excess of £20m, with O'Neil believing the 29-year-old is the best British defender in the Premier League.
Leicester had a £10m bid rejected out of hand last week and the Baggies will not be encouraging any more interest.
"When I look around the Premier League and see British centre-backs, I don't see anyone better," said the Northern Ireland boss in an interview with the Belfast Telegraph.
"I look at Gary Cahill at Chelsea and Chris Smalling at Manchester United and Jonny Evans is every bit as good as them.
"His move away from Manchester United to West Brom was maybe the right thing for him at that stage in his career but he is a player who I believe can play right at the top of the Premier League.
"He was an absolute bargain at £6million which I believe West Brom paid for him and if you are asking me is he worth £20million, I think he is a bargain at that price.
"Given that people are talking about Southampton's Virgil Van Dijk as a £50million player, that makes Jonny Evans sound cheap at £20million. If he goes to Leicester I think it is a good move for him."
