According to reports from The Independent this afternoon, Arsene Wenger has given England winger Theo Walcott a deadline to decide his future at Arsenal.
The 26 year-old’s contract expires at the end of next season and the Emirates boss is determined to tie him down to extended terms, with negotiations over a new deal already underway – as This Is Futbol revealed two weeks ago.
Earlier this month, Wenger told reporters; “I want [Walcott] to stay. When you go into negotiations with a player it is with a desire for him to stay. He looks keen to do it and I am keen to do it, so let’s see what comes out,” as quoted by The Guardian.
But Walcott’s primary concern is first team football. He’s managed just 21 Premier League appearances over the last two seasons, predominantly due to injuries, and now faces the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Danny Welbeck, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Mesut Ozil for a regular role in the starting Xi.
The ambiguity over his future has triggered interest from Liverpool and Chelsea. The Independent claim Reds gaffer Brendan Rodgers is closely monitoring the Three Lions star’s situation, whilst The Express claim the Premier League champions would consider a swap deal involving Petr Cech.
As This Is Futbol revealed earlier this month, Arsenal want to make the three-time Golden Glove winner their new No.1 this summer.
And Wenger has now revealed there’s a deadline in place for Walcott to decide on his future, either extending his Gunners contract or seeking opportunities elsewhere. “There might be a date,” Wenger said in his pre-match press conference on Friday. “But I do not see the need to inform you about the hour and the day when we will be meeting his representative,” he added.
i would like to see walcott at emirates untill he retired
i admire to see walcott with us untill he retire.
Walcott must stay @ Arsenal.
taz marvelous
i wanna c him with us next season. his gat talent, speed & style.