Arsenal are set to demand that West Ham United pay £12 million, should they want to sign Carl Jenkinson on a permanent deal, the Metro have reported.
Jenkinson, aged 22, has impressed during his season-long loan stint at the East London outfit, and has made 20 appearances for the seventh placed Hammers side.
Following his fine performances for the club this season, West Ham manager Sam Allardyce is looking into the possibility of taking the England Under 21 full-back to Upton Park on a permanent basis.
However, Arsenal’s valuation of the player could possibly be a stumbling block, as the Gunners reportedly want £12 million for Jenkinson’s services.
Finances may bring a problem for the potential signing, though United’s cause may be helped by Jenkinson’s desire to play first-team football, something they can offer, and Arsenal can’t.
‘I didn’t want to have another season sitting on the bench,’ Jenkinson stated.
‘It was starting to drive me up the wall a little bit, I wanted to get out and play football, and I’ve realised that I’m happiest when I’m playing regular football.
‘I didn’t want to go on loan to a team that was just going to kick the ball long. I wanted to go to a team where I was going to learn and improve and I think I’m definitely doing that here at West Ham.
‘We focus on defending in training and we do a lot of work on one-v-ones and heading and I feel I’ve developed in those areas. He’s given me the licence to get forward and express myself. I know what I’m capable of.’
by Ben Reardon
