EVERTON JOIN TWO OTHER CLUBS IN RACE TO SIGN WALCOTT
LONDON: Everton have joined the race to sign Arsenal’s out-of-favour winger Theo Walcott, according to reports.
The 28- year- old has featured sparingly for the Gunners this season under Arsene Wenger, and could be heading out the Emirates door in January.
According to the Daily Mail, the Toffees have enquired over the availability of the England international over a potential deal in the winter transfer window.
Sam Allardyce is desperate to bolster his attack, and has identified Walcott as the man to add pace and goals to his struggling squad.
Arsenal are willing to part ways with the former Southampton star next month if a suitable offer comes in.
But Everton face competition from the Saints as well as West Ham for the three-time FA Cup winner.
Walcott joined Arsenal in January 2006 for £12mil (RM65mil) as one of the country’s most promising talents, but has somewhat underachieved after being plagued by a string of injuries.
He could join a number of Gunners players heading out the door in January, with Mathieu Debuchy, Calum Chambers and Carl Jenkinson all potentially departing on permanent or loan deals.
Walcott – who has made 391 Arsenal appearances – has been restricted to just 10 games in all competitions this season, without a start in the English Premier League.
He hasn’t played since the beginning of November, and has fallen way down the pecking order in North London.
Everton are in dire need of a striker following the sale of Romelu Lukaku, and could lose yet another forward with reports linking Sandro Ramirez back to La Liga.
The ex-Malaga ace has flopped at Goodison Park since arriving in the summer, and could be handed a lifeline back to Spain with high-flyers Valencia.