Jenkinson close to signing Arsenal contract extension; set for loan move
Arsenal are set to give defender Carl Jenkinson a contract extension before sending him back on loan for the 2015-16 season, according to reports from Goal.com.
The right back, who was loaned out to West Ham United last season, has drawn interest from Sunderland, Southampton and West Ham for the upcoming season.
Jenkinson was a solid contributor for the Hammers, becoming a stalwart at Upton Park and helping West Ham compete for a UEFA Champions League spot before falling off late in the season and finishing 12th in the table. However, the Hammers will be in European competition in 2015-16 as they qualified for the UEFA Europa League by winning the Fair play table.
This could be a bargaining chip in bringing Jenkinson back and West Ham co-chairman recently said that the team would welcome Jenkinson back to Upton Park if he chooses to extend his career as a Hammer.
While Jenkinson is aware of West Ham's interest, he is thought to be keeping his options open, especially if Nthaniel Clyne leaves for Liverpool, opening a space at right back at Southampton.
With Hector Bellerin and Mathieu Debuchy competing for the starting spot at right back for Arsenal, Jenkinson no longer seems to fit in Arsenal's plans for the future. And with 20-year-old Bellerin on line, it seems the Gunners already have a right back for the future as well as one with experience in every level of the game.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has decided to try and lock down Jenkinson to a long-term deal as a future backup option and then send him out to get more first-team experience. Jenkinson's current deal ends in 2018.
