Arsenal

Walcott Fit For Reading But Wont Sign New Deal Before January

Theo Walcott has given Arsenal a fitness boost ahead of the Reading game but is no closer to agreeing a new deal at the club and wont sign before January 1st.

by
Football Talk
December 17, 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, more on the future of Theo Walcott.

Theo Walcott has given Arsenal a fitness boost ahead of the Reading game but the forward is no closer to agreeing a new deal at the club, according to the Mirror.

The 23-year-old has missed the last three games after picking up a calf injury against Swansea at the start of the month but is set to return earlier than expected and the Mirror claim he’s fit to play as Arsenal take on Reading at the Madejski Stadium tonight.

However, the report also claims Walcott is no closer to resolving his future at the Emirates and will not sign a new contract before the transfer window re-opens next month – leaving the club in a tricky situation. Will Arsenal be forced to cash-in? Or will they keep hold of him and risk losing the attacker for nothing at the end of the season?

The Mirror suggest that while the England international has consistently said he wants to remain at Arsenal and does not want to move in January even if the club try and sell him – Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City are all interested in signing him should he leave north London.

Theo is Arsenal’s top-scorer this season with 10-goals in all competitions and it would be a huge blow if they were to lose him. A move next month does seem unlikely at this point but will the Arsenal money-men be prepared to lose one of their prized assets for nothing?

We’ll have to wait and see but it may actually make more financial sense to keep him for the rest of the season and risk losing him for nothing. Champions League qualification is what Arsenal really need to ensure this season and if the Gunners sell next month it would severely weaken their team, potentially strengthen a rival’s squad and hamper their chances of a top-four finish.

Should they miss out on Champions League football, it would end up costing them a lot more than the fee they’d get for selling Walcott in January.

What do you think? Should Arsenal sell next month or keep hold of him? Get involved in the comments section below.