Forgotten Gunner in high demand as Liverpool enter the frame
Published:
Carl Jenkinson’s place in Arsenal’s defensive pecking order has never looked more fragile, but that hasn’t prevented the right-back from piquing the interest of a top-four rival.
The Sun newspaper’s ‘shock’ revelation says that Brendan Rodgers’ plans to replace outgoing Reds right-back Glen Johnson plonks Jenkinson at the forefront of the Northern Irishman’s thinking.
A little of the surprise is wiped away given how accomplished Arsenal’s farmed out full-back has looked since donning a West Ham shirt this season.
Jenkinson has been a fixture for Sam Allardyce’s Irons, where his committed approach to defending and athletic forays forward have made him a real hit across the capital.
Following his assured performances, West Ham wish to make the season-long loan deal permanent, but with Liverpool circling the Harlow-born right-back may be persuaded otherwise.
Liverpool, who are 7/5 to lift the FA Cup, should be able to offer European football of some description next term, while the Hammers early-season form has given way to a slide into mid-table obscurity.
With 30-year-old Johnson heading rapidly towards free-agent status at Anfield, this would seem to create an obvious vacancy on Merseyside this summer.
Naturally, Jenkinson may still have designs on succeeding at Arsenal, though the emergence of teenage right-back Hector Bellerin in his absence could clip the wings of those ambitions yet further.
French international Mathieu Debuchy is yet to return from a serious injury as well, so when he does Jenkinson will probably find himself as third choice at the Emirates next season.
A move to Liverpool would have to appeal in such circumstances.
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