According to reports from The Daily Mail this morning, Arsenal will open contract talks with Theo Walcott next week – once their FA Cup final with Aston Villa is out of the way.
The 26 year-old netted a hat-trick against West Bromwich Albion last Sunday, the final fixture of the Premier League season, bringing his total for the Gunners to 75 goals in 305 appearances.
But the winger-forward’s long term future is in serious doubt, with his Emirates contract set to expire at the end of next season, which has attracted interest from Liverpool and Chelsea – as This Is Futbol revealed last week.
Arsene Wenger is determined to tie Walcott down to extended terms, but the enormous competition for places within the Arsenal squad could stand in the way.
According to The Mail, Wenger intends to open official talks with the England international once Arsenal’s FA Cup campaign comes to an end on Saturday. As This Is Futbol revealed earlier this month, however, the Gunners gaffer has admitted there will be a deadline for Walcott to decide his future.
Should Walcott fail to agree a new deal, The Daily Mail claim Arsenal will move for Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling.