West Ham United were linked with the Arsenal right-back earlier in the window but appear to have turned their attentions to PSV’s flyer.
West Ham United may have missed out on an opportunity to welcome Carl Jenkinson back for a third spell with the capital club but, according to Bleacher Report, they have identified PSV’s Santiago Arias as a potential alternative.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger confirmed on Monday that the out-of-favour right-back, who has fallen behind Hector Bellerin, Mathieu Debuchy and even centre-half Gabriel Paulista in the pecking order, will not be leaving the Emirates on loan this month, as reported by ESPN.
This is despite the Evening Standard reporting that West Ham boss Slaven Bilic had identified Jenkinson as a tempting loan option in the January transfer window despite the 24-year-old’s temporary spell under the Croatian last season being wrecked by injuries and indifferent form.
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The return from injury of Sam Byram means the need for reinforcements at right-back is no longer as pressing though, according to Bleacher Report, 31-time Colombia international Arias is now in the club’s sights.
The 25-year-old has been one of the most consistent yet understated members of PSV’s team for the last few seasons, his probing runs and pinpoint crossing helping Phillip Cocu’s side bring an end to Ajax’s domestic dominance with two successive Eredivisie titles.
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Therefore, he would arrive at the London Stadium at the top of his game. Unlike Jenkinson who, as revealed by Wenger after he was booed of during Arsenal’s 2-0 EFL Cup defeat against Southampton, was suffering from a crisis of confidence.
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