Nottingham Forest reportedly in talks over loan swoop for Arsenal’s Carl Jenkinson

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Nottingham Forest have joined Crystal Palace and West Brom in the chase for Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinson, according to Daniel Taylor, via the Sun.

They report that the asking price for the 27-year-old is set at £5 million and that Forest have opened talks over a swoop for the defender.

It’s apparently unclear whether Forest want a loan or a permanent transfer for Jenkinson, but they are in dire need of a new right back given the long-term injury suffered by Tendayi Darikwa at the City Ground.

Jenkinson is quite clearly below the level required at the Emirates Stadium, but may be in line to start the season at right back given that Hector Bellerin is still ruled out by injury.

It’s plainly better for all concerned if Jenkinson were to leave and get regular football – he is 27 now and his development has stalled badly in recent years.

That said, if he did leave before Thursday’s deadline, then Unai Emery would be faced with a choice between Calum Chambers and Ainsley Maitland-Niles at right back until Bellerin is back.

That’s less than ideal and represents a major weakness for the Gunners, but it’s not really worth keeping Jenkinson around just for that, because he isn’t the answer either.