Arsenal are in talks with England international Theo Walcott to keep him at the Emirates until 2016…
Having already tied down French striker Olivier Giroud to a new deal worth £80k per week, Arsenal have now opened talks with Theo Walcott as well, reports the Telegraph.
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The English striker has been out of action for over eight months after suffering a cruciate ligament injury against Tottenham in January, but he is expected to return to full training after the next international break.
There was controversy over Walcott’s previous contract extension, with the player apparently asking more than the club were willing to offer. He eventually signed a deal allegedly worth somewhere in the region of £100k per week, but with his growing importance to the side Arsenal are already looking to improve on that.
The pacey forward’s current contract runs until 2016, and Arsenal have learnt the hard way in the past that it is very dangerous to let a player in demand get into his final year.
Walcott has been with Arsenal since 2005 when he signed from Southampton, and his pace and direct style has seen him steadily grow into a vital part of the Arsenal set up.
He has vastly improved his finishing over the years, with his best season coming in 2012/13 when he netted 21 times for the Gunners.
Despite only playing a small part last year due to his season ending injury, he still had a fantastic goalscoring record. Arsenal fans will be hoping he can pick up right where he left off this campaign and help the London side mount a real title challenge.