Sunderland agree fee with Arsenal to take Carl Jenkinson on loan next season

Sunderland have reportedly agreed a deal with Arsenal for defender Carl Jenkinson, and the season-long loan deal is said to be worth £2m ($3.1m) with the Black Cats paying the player's entire wages.

According to the Daily Mail, Dick Advocaat's side have beaten West Ham United, who are still keen on the defender and are hoping to come to an arrangement with the Gunners over a move for him despite a deal being agreed.

Jenkinson spent the entire 2014/15 campaign at Upton Park and is believed to be keen on remaining with the Hammers, but does not have any objection to move to the Stadium of Light either.

The 23-year-old fell down the pecking order at Arsenal following the arrival of Mathieu Debuchy last summer, and the sudden rise of Hector Bellerin during the course of the campaign has put his place in the first team in further doubt.

But Arsene Wenger is adamant that the defender will not be sold, as he sees a future at the Emirates Stadium for Jenkinson and is keen for him to go out on loan and continue his development with a Premier League club.

The English defender has three years remaining on his current deal with the Gunners, but the report claims that the north London club will talk with him about signing a new deal before he leaves the club on loan in the summer.

Jenkinson, who is currently on international duty with the England U21 team as they prepare for the upcoming U21 European Championships in the Czech Republic, was impressive for West Ham last season, making 36 appearances in all competitions as the Hammers finished a credible 12<sup>th in the Premier League.

Southampton are also said to be monitoring negotiations between the two clubs as they look for a replacement for Nathaniel Clyne, whose future at St Mary's remains uncertain, with Manchester United and Liverpool looking to bolster their defence, according to the Mirror.

Jenkinson will become the third player to leave this summer albeit on a temporary basis, after Abou Diaby and Ryo Miyaichi were released following the expiry of their respective contracts.