CHARLTON manager Chris Powell has denied Arsenal have already agreed a deal to sign highly-rated defender Carl Jenkinson.

The Addicks boss conceded it now looks highly unlikely the 19-year-old will stick around at The Valley once his contract runs out at the end of the season.

Reports elsewhere this week suggested the Gunners had all but wrapped up a deal but Powell says such talk is still premature and nothing has been decided yet.

He said: “There is a lot of speculation around Carl Jenkinson.

“Obviously he can’t be sold to anyone as yet because it is out of the window but admittedly there is a lot of interest in him.

“We as a club will discuss what we have to do with regards to Carl but at the moment there are no details of anything that we can say or a deal being done as yet.

“Of course I would have liked him to sign because I’m sure everyone knows I’ve identified him as a player that could play a part in our team , which he had done.

“But obviously it is his decision and his advisors and family.

“You have to sometimes abide by that because if your contract runs out you are allowed to do that because that is what freedom of contract has brought.”

Powell added: “He is first-class, he trains well every day and he is a real credit to our academy but also to himself and his family.

“We have to see what happens at the end of the season if we can change his mind or if indeed he does move on.

“I truly believe he is definitely trying to see what is out there because it is his right to do so.

“It is not a question of me hoping he changes his mind, I think it would be more the case if nothing is forthcoming then he may look at it.

“Sadly for us it is totally in their hands and not ours.”

Jenkinson has been out of the first team frame since refusing to sign the contract offered by Charlton but Powell didn’t completely rule out the chance of him wearing Addicks colours again this season.

“Possibly,” the manager said.

“You want his mind on it, you want him fully committed and I suppose when you haven’t signed a contract, you’re not fully there.

“I know the kid trains well every single day and he is a fantastic talent.

“But of course you want people out there who you feel will be part of what you are trying to do now and in the future and we can’t be certain of that with Carl at the moment.”

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