Arsenal Prepare January Move for West Ham Defender Winston Reid

Arsenal are preparing a January swoop for West Ham defender Winston Reid, according to the Daily Mirror.

The 26-year-old, who has recently been bestowed the honour of captaining the New Zealand side, is yet to sign an extension on his current contract which expires next summer. This gives the Gunners the opportunity to get him for a cut-price fee with the lure of Champions League football in the offing.

The defender has been pivotal for the Hammers this season, marshalling the defence in what is culminating into a brilliant season for Sam Allardyce's men. The Hammers are currently fourth in the table, above Arsenal and are enjoying their time at the top, having gotten the better of Manchester City and Liverpool in recent weeks.

His arrival at the Emirates will be a proper solution to Arsene Wenger's problems, who is currently reeling with a plethora of injuries to key players at the back. The likes of Mathieu Debuchy and Laurent Koscielny are all out injured with Kieran Gibbs also doubtful for their next game against Burnley.

Wenger's refusal to buy a defender in the summer has added to their problems, with the Gunners having to play with Nacho Monreal at centre-back. Reid will be a good backup option for the likes of Per Mertesacker and Koscielny, especially with the German not being granted a single rest owing to Arsenal's defensive woes.

The Hammers have not given up on the defender, with co-owner David Gold claiming that they are hopeful that the club can come to a truce before the transfer window reopens in January.

The Gunners are unlikely to go uncontested for his signature, especially with a lot of clubs keeping an eye on him and warming up to his consistency. The likes of Manchester United and Liverpool, who are going through a crisis of sorts themselves, could well offer the player a better deal and the lure of first team action.