Report: Manchester City eyeing West Brom's Evans, Sociedad's Martinez

Manchester City is set to again dip its toes in the transfer market.

With Vincent Kompany nursing his latest injury, John Stones yet to return to from a hamstring concern, and former target Virgil van Dijk off to Liverpool, City is reportedly looking to bolster its backline with a pair of signings.

The runaway Premier League leader maintains its interest in West Brom’s Jonny Evans, while the Telegraph’s Jason Burt reports that Pep Guardiola and Co. are also monitoring Real Sociedad centre-half Inigo Martinez.

Related: Pardew fears losing West Brom captain Evans in January

Guardiola was asked following Wednesday’s narrow 1-0 win over Newcastle if Kompany’s latest calf injury – his 39th ailment with the club – would force the club to eye an upgrade. The Catalan coach was mum, saying, “I don’t know. I don’t know what is going to happen.

“Unfortunately, he (Kompany) is injured again (just) like the last three years and we have to see how long it is going to take him to recover.”

City’s interest in Evans dates back to last summer when the club tried to lure the Baggies skipper to the Etihad. Arsenal and Everton have also previously been linked with the no-nonsense Northern Ireland international. West Brom is allegedly demanding £30 million for the 29-year-old.

Martinez, 26, has also become an option for City. He has a £28-million release clause in his contract and has also reportedly caught the eye of Barcelona, which fancies another defender in light of Javier Mascherano’s awaited move to China.