Having sold Aaron Wan-Bissaka to Manchester United, Crystal Palace are reportedly hoping to replace him with £5 million-rated Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinson.

According to a report from The Sun, Arsenal right-back Carl Jenkinson has emerged as a summer transfer target for fellow London outfit Crystal Palace, who are looking to replace Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

Crystal Palace lost academy graduate Wan-Bissaka last week, as the Englishman completed a £50 million transfer to Manchester United. The 21-year-old had been the Eagles’ first-choice right-back ahead of Joel Ward since making his first-team debut back in February 2018 and his departure has left a hole in the squad that manager Roy Hodgson is looking to fill.

To that end, Palace have identified Arsenal star Carl Jenkinson as a viable candidate to replace Wan-Bissaka in their ranks, reports The Sun. The 27-year-old has been an Arsenal player for eight years now, having joined the Gunners from boyhood club Charlton Athletic in 2011, but hasn’t been able to establish himself as a regular in the side.

Jenkinson has spent a considerable time out on loan away from Arsenal, having been with West Ham United for eighteen months between July 2014 and January 2016, while he was with Birmingham City for the entirety of the 2017-18 term.

Wanted by Crystal Palace (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Wanted by Crystal Palace (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Jenkinson stayed put at Arsenal this past season, but was behind Hector Bellerin, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Stephan Lichtsteiner in the pecking order. The 27-year-old made just eight appearances for Unai Emery’s side, making it abundantly clear that he does not feature in the manager’s plans moving forward.

Crystal Palace are hoping to capitalise on the situation by launching a move for the Englishman. The Eagles’ boss Roy Hodgson is believed to be an admirer of Jenkinson and it was he who handed the right-back his debut for the England national team back in 2012. And he is keen on reuniting with the defender at Selhurst Park ahead of the 2019-20 term.

The report adds that Jenkinson would be available for just £5 million, which makes him so much more appealing for Crystal Palace, despite them having the money to spend following the windfall from Wan-Bissaka’s sale to Manchester United.

Jenkinson is also being targeted by Championship outfit West Bromwich Albion along with Scottish champions Celtic. So, Crystal Palace will have to act fast if they are to complete his signing from Arsenal.

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