With Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Inter Milan linked with Arsenal’s latest contract mishap, should Tottenham Hotspur join the running for the England international?
It never stops does it at Arsenal, the dramatic twists and turns of a tumultuous transfer market (tongue twister?) continue as The Gunners have now seen Theo Walcott reject the contract being offered to him at The Emirates. His situation has been in a questionable position for some time but now most newspapers report Arsenal will offload him to offset the risk of losing him on a free transfer at the end of the season. At just 23-years-of age and potentially available at a cut-price Theo Walcott could become one of the bargain buys of the summer.
A move abroad has been mooted whilst Chelsea, Liverpool and even former side Southampton have been linked with the lightning quick forward this summer but the England international is now reportedly coveting the attention of Premier League champions Manchester City.
With a deal for Scott Sinclair fizzling out it is believed Roberto Mancini wants a genuine attacking wide man after selling Adam Johnson. Despite playing a 3-5-2 at the start of the season so far, Mancini believes he needs options on all fronts as he attacks the Champions League as well as a defence of domestic glory.
Walcott would also relish such an opportunity as, despite being used as a wide-man, he would also have the option of being used in his more favoured central role in the Man City line-up. Add to that a hefty pay bonus and a higher chance for silverware it would be mad for Theo not to leave if City come calling.
Arsenal have reportedly offered him a £75,000 a week wage and whilst to me and you that may sound like an unrejectable sum of money a deal at Man City would be worth tens of thousands more to the player, now tell me you honestly, would you turn down a potential, let’s say £20,000 a week payrise? I didn’t think so.
For all the talk of a ‘short term agreement’ between player and Wenger, will Arsenal really risk allowing him to walk away for free? It is a real gamble. But perhaps less of one than the following option;
The one team who have so far not been linked with a move for the former Southampton man is North London rivals Spurs. When you think about it he is the perfect fit. Fast, adept in a 4-3-3 and able to play up front to offset the strain on Emmanuel Adebayor, Jermain Defoe and the young Harry Kane.
With Spurs recently coming into the money with the sale of Luka Modric and reportedly bidding for every player linked with a move away so far this summer, could Spurs really make a shocking swoop for Theo Walcott to make the short switch to White Hart Lane?
Word is that Aaron Lennon is to be shown the exit door, and Walcott? A perfect replacement.
Where will Walcott end up, Liverpool, Chelsea, Man City, Spurs or maybe staying at Arsenal?
images: © Ronnie Macdonald
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
