Paul Merson suggests Theo Walcott should not have joined Everton

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Should Theo Walcott have joined Southampton or Bournemouth instead of Everton from Arsenal?

Paul Merson has suggested in The Daily Star that Theo Walcott has made a mistake joining Everton from Arsenal in the January transfer window.

The former Arsenal star believes that Walcott, who can operate as a forward or a winger, should have moved to Southampton or Bournemouth.

According to The Sun, Bournemouth and Southampton were interested in the England international before his switch to the Gunners.

The 28-year-old started his professional club football career at Southampton before his move to Arsenal in 2006.

As reported by The Sun, Everton have had to pay Arsenal a transfer fee of £20 million in order to secure the services of Walcott in the January transfer window.

Merson wrote in The Daily Star: “Theo Walcott going to Everton is a great move for them but a bad one for Walcott.

“He should have gone to Southampton, or even Bournemouth. I think he would be happier at either of those clubs than he will be at Goodison Park.

“Everton needed pace and Theo gives them that now. He’s an experienced player who scores goals and wants to go to the World Cup. I get this move from Everton’s point of view.

“I don’t get it from Walcott’s. Where does he fit in that team? They’ve just been trashed by Tottenham and their manager says they need to be “more boring”.

“That doesn’t exactly fill you with excitement if you’re a forward going there, does it? You just know Sam Allardyce is going to go more defensive now – and that means less chances for Walcott.”

Both Southampton and Bournemouth are in danger of getting relegated to the Championship at the end of the season.

Moreover, in the long term, Walcott has a better chance of achieving success and winning trophies that he would have had with the Saints or the Cherries.

Meanwhile, Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier has explained why Walcott did not move to the Saints, and said on the Gillette Soccer Saturday show on Sky Sports News on Saturday afternoon (1:15pm, January 20, 2017): “I am led to believe that Theo was offered probably the best package that any player in Southampton history has been offered, and I think he indicated that he was ready to come back, but I think the offer from Everton kind of blew the offer from Southampton out of the water. That’s my understanding.”