Man Utd close to signing former Reading defender after double transfer blow

Manchester United are close to securing the signing of Wales international Gemma Evans as the club look to bolster their defensive ranks.

The 26-year-old is a free agent following the expiry of her two-year contract with relegated Reading.

Evans has been linked with four WSL clubs since the season’s end, and United have emerged as favourites to sign the defender in a bid to bulk up their ranks, according to the Telegraph. Last season, United signed French defender Aissatou Tounkara on a two-year deal from Atletico Madrid. However, the 28-year-old made only one WSL appearance across her debut season with Maya Le Tissier and Millie Turner as the first-choice centre-backs.

READ MORE: Ona Batlle to leave Manchester United as next club confirmed

Nevertheless, the Welsh international, who has more than 50 caps for her country, demonstrated immense personal growth and potential during a turbulent season with the Royals, though Reading finished the season with the worst goals conceded record in the league at 57.

Evans ranked third highest in the WSL for shots blocked (19 in total), and sixth most per 90, though she clocked 600 minutes more than five players ranked above her.

Her 3.5 clearances per 90 (58 in total) also saw her rank in the league’s top 10, while the sheer volume of minutes last season demonstrated the desire to shoulder responsibility. Evans’ aerial prowess, tenacity and versatility in back three or four have cut her an appealing prospect for top-flight clubs.

Speaking to the Mirror earlier this month, Evans maintained that WSL felt like her standard and that she was keen to build on the progress made last season with a club not fighting relegation.

“I want to stay in the WSL, but I would like to go higher up the table,” she said. “I’ve still got a lot to develop and I’m willing to learn, so it’s about finding the best place for that.”

She added: “I think I could’ve put myself on a better stage [last season] but I think I have produced where I needed to. My basic mark, which is quite high, I hit every game but I wanted to always be better so some games I wasn’t that bit better, which frustrates me. Mentally, it’s been one of the most difficult seasons for me.”

A move to United would also see Evans link up with compatriot Hayley Ladd. The pair have come to form a formidable centre-back partnership at international level under Wales manager Gemma Grainger.

Under Skinner, Ladd has been deployed predominantly in midfield and showed her prowess as an integral cog in United’s thrilling title run against Chelsea last season. A reunion with Evans in defence could prove fruitful in personal development and tactical options.

The loss of stars Alessia Russo and Ona Batlle has placed a cloud over United’s impressive season, in which they pushed reigning champions Chelsea to the final day of the WSL season and secured Champions League football for the first time in their history.

As United bid to compete on all four fronts and establish themselves in the WSL’s upper echelons, strength in depth will be key to pushing forward after a watershed season.