Southampton have targeted Carl Jenkinson, the Arsenal right-back, as a possible loan signing, as they make contingency plans for the departure of Nathaniel Clyne.
Jenkinson, who has one England cap, impressed for West Ham United on loan last season and they would be interested in taking him back from Arsenal. Arsène Wenger rates the 23-year-old but the Arsenal manager has Héctor Bellerín and Mathieu Debuchy in the position.
Sunderland have also made a move for Jenkinson, who is part of Gareth Southgate’s squad for the European Under-21 Championship in the Czech Republic. But Southampton hope to complete a deal for him, particularly as doubts about Clyne’s future persist.
Clyne enjoyed a superb season last time out and he has attracted the interest of Liverpool, who have had a £10m bid for him rejected and are mulling over whether to return with a better offer.
Even if Clyne stays at Southampton, the club need greater strength in depth as they prepare for a campaign in the Europa League, following their seventh-placed Premier League finish. They enter the tournament at the third qualifying round – the first leg of which is on 30 July.
