The Arsenal right-back is in need of a fresh start – but will he choose Aston Villa over West Ham United, Hull City and Swansea City?
On the face of it, Aston Villa’s chances of luring Carl Jenkinson to the Midlands, and the Championship mid-table, appear rather slim.
According to the Birmingham Mail, Steve Bruce is searching high and low for a solid opponent for Alan Hutton on the right hand side of Villa’s defence though West Ham, Swansea and Hull also happen to be in the market for a full-back this month.
And, although the aforementioned trio are far from certain to be Premier League teams next season, Jenkinson will surely have realised that remaining under the microscope of the top flight could put him in the shop window by summer time.
If Hull, Swansea or West Ham suffer the ignominy of relegation with Jenkinson in their ranks, his reputation should remain relatively unscathed. He could not be blamed for their multitude of problems after arriving midway through the season.
And, if they survive, he would be portrayed as something of a difference maker, potentially earning himself a permanent deal or a renewed Arsenal future.
Yet, Bruce’s Villa cannot be discounted yet.
Last season, Arsene Wenger entrusted the development of young striker Chuba Akpom and talented midfielder Isaac Hayden onto Bruce’s Hull City and the mutual respect between the two managers means Jenkinson could be the latest Arsenal loanee to be placed under the genial Geordie’s care.
Wenger has alluded to Jenkinson’s shattered confidence on a number of occasions and therefore the prospect of kick-starting his career away from the claustrophobic environment of the Premier League could give the 25-year-old the chance to build up his self-belief ahead of one last shot at the big time at the Emirates.
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