There is one big thing that bothers me about one of the recent Arsenal transfer rumours, the one that suggests that Arsene Wenger is preparing a move for the West Ham and New Zealand international defender Winston Reid in the January transfer window.
My concern is why, if Wenger wants the player and the player does not seem keen to sign an extension to the current deal with the Hammers that is due to run out in the summer, did the Gunners not try to sign the centre back during the summer transfer window?
It is not as if the 26-year old would have cost us too much with one year left on his contract, so assuming the report in The Mirror is not just an invention of some writer’s fevered imagination, what exactly has changed?
One of our first choice centre backs Laurent Koscielny may be out of action with an ankle problem at the minute, but the French international is expected back in action before the winter transfer window opens anyway. And our first choice right back Mathieu Debuchy is supposed to be back as well, leaving Calum Chambers more freedom to cover in the centre of defence if needed.
The only thing that would make sense that I can think of is that Wenger has realised he goofed by not signing another central defender in the summer. That and he may have been unsure about Reid before but has been convinced by his excellent performances this season. We have apparently had scouts watching him in the last few weeks. Do you think Reid is the answer?