Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed that the club are in talks with Theo Walcott, reports the Daily Express.
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The 26-year-old only has one more season left on his current deal, and has been linked to Premier League rivals Liverpool recently (via the Express). This seems to have led to a renewed sense of urgency from the Gunners, who are hoping to tie down one of their more high profile stars.
However, the forward isn’t as important to the team as he used to be, especially since the arrival of Alexis Sanchez from Barcelona. Injuries have also held the winger back, who has played just eight times in the Premier League this season. A front four of Sanchez, Mesut Özil, Aaron Ramsey, and Olivier Giroud playing well together at the moment has made it even more difficult for the England international to break into the side.
Despite this, Wenger still seems keen to hold on to the former Southampton man. The 65-year-old is also adamant that there isn’t as much of a rush as some seem to think, explaining that there won’t be a problem unless he still hasn’t signed in December. If that happens, then clubs from abroad could speak to Walcott in January without having to agree a potential transfer fee.
The Frenchman said: “There’s no [update]. Yes we are already talking to him. Today I’m not in that kind of mode of thinking because I just want him to stay. When you go into negotiations with a player the desire is you want him to stay. We are always in the mode of being successful. A case of failure will only be in December next season.”