Arsenal Close To Completing This Surprise Deal For Defender With Premier League Rivals

Arsenal right-back Carl Jenkinson is reportedly closing in on a transfer to Crystal Palace. The 24-year-old defender has failed to nail down a regular place under Arsene Wenger at the Emirates, having featured just five times this season and only 38 times in total in his five-and-a-half years with the Gunners. The injury-hit Englishman is now looking at the prospect of joining another club.

A number of clubs have made enquiries to sign Jenkinson on loan during this month’s transfer window, but Palace are looking to buy the full-back on a permanent deal. Arsenal and Palace are in talks as the Eagles look to try and agree on a fee, with Sam Allardyce hoping to land Jenkinson as his first signing since taking charge at Selhurst Park last month.

Allardyce previously worked with the player during a loan spell at West Ham when he was manager of the club. Speaking on his transfer window plans Allardyce said,

“My interest at this time is to strengthen the areas in defense, not the attacking or front areas at this time.”

“The fact we have only kept one clean sheet all season is a big point for me to try and make the team realize that we need to stop those goals going in, either in general play or in set pieces. That is my focus on players in this window.” he explained.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger also admires the former Charlton Athletic player and it remains to be seen if he would be willing to sell him on a permanent basis though he is still unable to push through into the first team as Hector Bellerin occupies the right-back role.

Jenkinson has spent the past two seasons on loan at West Ham but stayed at Arsenal for the first part of this campaign as he recovered from injury. He returned to the starting line-up in late October but after failing to impress has been bombed down the pecking order.