Arsenal

Arsenal Reach Breakthrough In Walcott Contract Talks

Chelsea and Liverpool target Theo Walcott has moved a step closer to signing a new contract at Arsenal according to several news outlets on Tuesday morning.

by
Football Talk
November 20, 2012

Despite the transfer window being closed, there is always transfer gossip doing the rounds in the papers and we’ll keep you up-to-date with the latest news during the coming months. Today, Theo Walcott moves a step closer to signing a new deal at Arsenal.

Theo Walcott has moved a step closer to signing a new contract at Arsenal according to several news outlets this morning.

The 23-year-old attacker has just 8 months to run on his current contract at the Emirates and has so far been unable to reach an agreement over new terms. Chelsea and Liverpool have been monitoring his situation closely and are ready to make their move if the stand-off continues into January.

However, the Daily Mail are reporting that manager Arsene Wenger has stepped in to make a personal plea to the Arsenal board to improve their offer of £75,000-a-week, which was rejected by Walcott in the summer as he held out for nearer £100,000-a-week.

It’s believed Wenger’s intervention has worked and the Gunners chiefs are now willing to play-ball and both parties are confident a compromise of between £80,000-£85,000-a-week can be reached swiftly.

The Mail’s report is supported by Goal.com, who also claim a deal is moving closer after Walcott agreed to lower his demands to £90,000-a-week in order to stay at the Emirates. Arsenal are willing to up their offer to £80,000-a-week and crucially Arsene Wenger has agreed to give the former Southampton ace more opportunities to play up front.

The breakthrough in talks is the strongest indication yet that Walcott will sign a new five-year deal and commit his future to the Gunners.

Until now, both parties have been firm with their offer and demands as the stalemate dragged on for nearly 3 months. However, as the January 1st ‘deadline’ approaches it seems both Arsenal and Walcott are softening their stance to ensure a compromise is reached.

A crucial third round of talks are due to take place in the coming weeks and while both sides are confident a deal will be struck, if an agreement can’t be reached, Wenger may look at the possibility of selling him abroad in January rather than let him join a Premier League rival for nothing in the summer.

Do you think Walcott will sign a new deal at Arsenal? Get involved in the comments section.