Walcott Staying At Arsenal After Showdown Talks With Wenger

As we enter the final stages of the summer transfer window, Football Talk will be keeping you up-to-date with all the latest transfer news. Today, Theo Walcott is set to stay at Arsenal.

Arsenal forward Theo Walcott is set to stay at club for the foreseeable future after holding face-to-face talks with boss Arsene Wenger on Wednesday, according to the BBC.

Reports over the past 24 hours had suggested the 23-year-old, who is in the final year of his current contract, could be sold before Friday’s 11pm transfer deadline after rejecting Arsenal’s latest contract offer.

The Gunners are understood to have offered the pacey attacker a new five-year deal worth £75,000-a-week, but the former Southampton youngster is holding out for nearer £100,000.

The Telegraph were one of many newspapers to claim that both Liverpool and Manchester City were ready to move for the England ace if he became available, with Arsene Wenger said to be ready to cash in this summer instead of risk losing the player for nothing next year.

However, the BBC are now reporting that Walcott held ‘amicable’ talks with boss Arsene Wenger at the Gunners London Colney training base on Wednesday and gave assurances over his commitment to the club, despite not putting pen-to-paper on a new deal.

There is now a feeling that a resolution can be reached and senior figures at Arsenal are believed to be willing to let the player continue at the club in the final 12 months of his contract, with a view to him signing fresh terms over the course of the season.

Further talks are planned for next week with both parties said to be determined to find an agreement.

Read more Arsenal transfer news | Liverpool transfer news | Man City transfer news

However, should an agreement not be reached in the coming weeks, there is every chance Walcott could be sold in January as Arsenal would be loath to losing him for free next summer as they wouldn’t be eligible for compensation due to the player turning 24 in March 2013.

Is Walcott worth £100k per week? Would you cash in now? Get involved in the comments section.

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