OPINION
Leeds United must swoop in the summer for Carl Jenkinson with Arsenal reportedly planning to sell the 26-year-old at the end of the season.
The Sun report that Jenkinson was one of four fringe players that the Gunners were planning to ditch in the summer in order to start getting their soaring wage bill under control.
The Whites should pounce on this opportunity to sign a experienced, versatile defender who could help them win promotion to the Premier League.
Jenkinson has plenty of experience playing at the highest level, having made 90 appearances in England’s top-flight between spells at the Gunners and West Ham United.
The 26-year-old right-back, who can also feature as a left-back if necessary, has even tasted success by lifting the FA Cup with Arsene Wenger’s side in 2014.
This season Jenkinson has been on loan at the Championship’s Birmingham City, making nine appearances for them.
The right-back struggled to break into the Blues’ side at the start of their campaign after he suffered a shoulder injury that ruled him out for a significant amount of time.
However, in recent weeks the defender has been a reliable presence at the back for his current side, as they aim to save themselves from being relegated.
Jenkinson looks head and shoulders above his struggling teammates, demonstrating his strength in the tackle, while also possessing the ability to play neat passes to set his side on the attack.
Paul Heckingbottom should be keen to add another right-back to his squad as the Whites have clearly struggled to cope in that position since Luke Ayling was ruled out for the season.
Gaetano Berardi has done his best to fill in as his replacement, but the 29-year-old is not good enough to regularly play in the Championship, especially with hopes of a play-off place for next season.
As such, Leeds must pounce on the chance to sign Jenkinson; he is a proven talent in a problem position, and could give Heckingbottom’s side the lift in quality to push on from their bitterly disappointing campaign.