Liverpool will once again pursue their interest in long-term target Theo Walcott this summer with the English international losing his place in the Arsenal squad.
Theo Walcott has struggled in recent seasons with non-stop niggles and injuries that have played a major role in his poor performances in recent seasons. Walcott managed to get himself fit for Arsenal last season still struggled to nail down a starting position and this has played a major role on his development at the club.
Walcott has held talks with the Gunners boss Arsene Wenger with the pair coming to agreement that Walcott will compete for his place on the right-hand side of midfield even though the winger sees himself as a central striker.
Walcott did impress as a striker against Manchester United in their home 3-0 home win, he was unstoppable that day and got himself an assist and played a major role in the game, but that’s the problem with Walcott, that was one game out of the many opportunities he was given this season. Walcott’s inconsistency has led to him struggling to feature for the first team and more importantly damaged any hope he had to lead Arsenal’s attacking line.
According to The Sun Theo Walcott is looking for a fresh start this summer and is hoping to put his nightmare season behind him. Liverpool have been long-term admirers of the England international and have tried to persuade him to leave the Gunners but each time he has opted to sign a new deal with Arsenal. Liverpool are now ready to offer Walcott a four-year contract on wages of £120,000 per-week to switch North London for Merseyside this summer.
A major boost for Liverpool is Theo Walcott is in fact a Liverpool fan and has been since he was a young age.
Although Wenger has said Walcott is still a major part of the Gunners plans, the decision that he will not play as a striker could play a major role on his long-term future. Walcott has always trusted his abilities to play the number 9 role and it is reported Jurgen Klopp is in the market for a quick, versatile forward which Walcott certainly is.
Walcott would want assurances on his opportunities at playing as a striker, but the versatile midfielder can play on either wing to which would give Klopp plenty of options.
Game time could be limited at the Emirates Stadium for Theo Walcott with the emergence of Nigerian young star Alex Iwobi who has kept the 27-year old out of the first team, and with the likely arrival of Jamie Vardy his game time could be even more limited next season. Arsenal are also interested in Henrikh Mhkitaryan, a player who has played on the right wing mostly for Dortmund.
Theo Walcott will certainly think hard about his future this summer, especially after not being included in the England squad for the Euros. Having made only 23 starts for Arsenal last season he failed to impress England manager Roy Hodgson who held long talks with Walcott to explain his decision not to take him to France.
The England international was excluded from the squad this summer but has made 43 appearances for his country, scoring 8 goals.
Walcott has always been a fans favourite but has seemed to lose the faith of Wenger, and even some fans to an extent. His lacklustre performances have come under strong criticism this season and the Arsenal star who has been with the club since 2006 may have to leave the club to fulfil any potential he has left before it is too late.
Although Danny Welbeck has been ruled out for nine months, Arsenal may still sanction a move for Walcott if the deal is right. Walcott only signed a new deal last summer and still has three years to run on his bumper contract so he will not leave on a cheap this summer.
Arsenal will be reluctant to sell one of their own, their identity, but a move could help both parties and let Walcott progress which he has failed to do for Arsenal.
A fee of around £25-30 million will be demanded from the Gunners if they were forced to sell with Liverpool looking to lead the chase, long-term admirers Manchester City are also reportedly interested with Pep Guardiola being a huge fan of the Arsenal forward.