- Southampton manager discusses Theo Walcott transfer to Everton
- Mauricio Pellegrino was keen to sign Walcott from Arsenal this January
- The Saints boss claims his club tried everything to bring Walcott back
- READ MORE: Alexis Sanchez to Man Utd: Major breakthrough, Arsenal ace says his goodbyes
Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino admits he and his club tried ‘everything’ to seal a transfer return for Theo Walcott from Arsenal this January.
The England international was struggling for games at the Emirates Stadium this term and looked a realistic signing for his former club, who he left for the Gunners at the age of just 16.
Walcott would undoubtedly have been welcomed back at the St Mary’s Stadium as an exciting purchase, but they were ultimately pipped to his signature by Premier League rivals Everton.
The 28-year-old finalised his move to Goodison Park earlier this week, and Pellegrino has now finally got around to discussing the deal, confirming Southampton’s interest in him while he was still an Arsenal player.
However, he concedes there was not much more the Saints could have done to try and lure Walcott back and that he’s unsure why the player chose Everton instead.
The Argentine now hopes his team can move on to other targets this winter in a bid to strengthen his struggling squad.
‘I think we did everything to try to bring this possibility here but we have to accept that. It’s part of our job,’ Pellegrino said in responseo to questions over Walcott, as quoted by the Daily Echo.
‘When you are in negotiations they are about two parts and we can do nothing.
‘Obviously the money is part of the negotiations but I don’t know the reason.
‘We have got in our club is the concern to try and bring a couple of targets. We have got another option and we have to continue with our job.
‘Sometimes we expect this and we have to be prepared for this because it’s part of the market.’