West Ham are said to be closing in on the season-long loan signing of Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinson, reports the Daily Star.
The Hammers had thought they had lost out to Sunderland in the race to sign the England international right-back on loan for the 2015/16 season, but it’s now being reported that Jenkinson has no interest in travelling north next season, and wants to stay in the London area, either with Arsenal on returning to Upton Park on another loan spell.
The Black Cats had agreed a £2m loan fee with the Gunners for the 23-year-old, who made 36 appearances for the Hammers last season, as well as cover all of his wages for the duration of the loan spell, which was an offer Arsenal couldn’t refuse.
Now the deal has swung back in West Ham’s favour, as they remain very interested in bringing Jenkinson back for the upcoming season. Southampton are also said to be interested in Jenkinson as a contingency plan for if they sell highly-rated right-back Nathaniel Clyne.
Jenkinson is currently starting for the England U21 side at the European Championships, and any deal would not be concluded until he returns.
