Arsenal have identified West Ham defender Winston Reid as the man to solve their defensive woes, according to The Mirror.
John Cross reports that the 26-year-old was a transfer target in the summer, and remains high on the Gunners list of potential targets. With Reid’s contract expiring at the end of the season, Arsenal may be able to sign the New Zealand-born defender for a cut price of around £5million.
With Kieran Gibbs now injured, the Gunners are in desperate lack of defensive numbers. Hector Bellerin, Calum Chambers, Per Mertesacker and Nacho Monreal are the only four senior defenders fit. Koscielny is due to miss at least another three weeks, with Debuchy not back until January. The likes of Isaac Hayden, Francis Coquelin and Semi Ajayi will have to be used if there are any more defensive injuries.
With 18 caps for his country, Reid has just been named captain for New Zealand.
Reid is well built and with a 6ft 3in frame, is rarely beaten in the air. He’s also slightly versatile, with the ability to play at right back very capably.
A move for the Premier League-proven Reid would make sense, and I certainly wouldn’t be against it.
He’s accustomed to Premier League football having played over 100 games in England. He slotted in immediately to the pace and power involved in the Premier League and has grown in confidence with every game.
At 26, I truly believe Reid could continue to improve at Arsenal and become their starting centre back alongside Laurent Koscielny. He’s as strong in the air as Mertesacker but quicker and stronger on the ground. Whilst his reading of the game in not as good as the German, I think he could develop such attributes as he matures further.
What do you think? Is Reid the player we need?