Arsenal are in danger of losing England star Theo Walcott after his contract talks hit fresh delays.
Arsene Wenger’s team got their season back on track yesterday with a 2-0 home win over West Bromwich Albion that lifted them into sixth place in the Premier League.
But Wenger has admitted he is frustrated that a new deal for Walcott, who is out of contract in June, remains unsigned. Talks have been delayed because of the England winger’s recent injuries, meaning the matter is now unlikely to be resolved until the New Year, when Walcott would be free to sign a deal with a foreign club.
The delay means Walcott, who is Arsenal’s top scorer this season with 10 goals, will have an increasingly strong negotiating position, with Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City all showing interest in signing the 23-year-old.
Walcott’s representatives and Arsenal’s negotiator, Dick Law, were due to speak this month to establish whether the club would increase their £80,000-a-week offer. But Walcott’s main concern was to confirm that he would be a regular starter. Both the club and
Walcott had agreed to suspend negotiations until he had a run of games. While he had started the four Premier League matches prior to yesterday’s win, which he missed because of a calf strain, this and other injuries mean both club and player will have to wait several weeks before judging whether his long-term future is at the club.
There is no sign that Wenger is prepared to use Walcott as a central striker, which remains his ambition. But the prospect of losing Walcott, who joined Arsenal from Southampton for around £9million in January 2006, is worrying Arsenal fans. – Mail On Sunday