New deal for Walcott almost done
ARSENAL will this week make an improved offer of £25million to Theo Walcott in a bid to resolve his contract saga.
The England forward will receive a five-year deal worth around £88,000 a week, plus a £3m signing-on bonus.
Arsenal hope the new offer will be enough for the 23-year-old to commit to the club.
His future has been in doubt since he rejected an initial offer of £75,000 a week on August 28.
That was followed by a breakdown in communications between the club and his representatives.
But manager Arsene Wenger has been impressed by Walcott’s professionalism during the stand-off.
Walcott is the club’s top goalscorer with 14 and his impressive form has forced the club to change their stance.
Walcott had made it clear to his manager that his preference has always been to stay at Arsenal, but he stressed he was unhappy about the way he was treated during the early weeks of the season. The forward was left on the bench, despite the fact he had played a regular role last season. In addition to an improved cash offer, Walcott also wanted assurances about his chances of playing as an orthodox striker on a more regular basis.
Negotiations now seem to be heading in a positive direction, with Arsenal hoping to have Walcott’s signature secured sooner rather than later. – Daily Mail