Theo Walcott

[kris90210]

Sounds like his agent is briefing the press here

[Chazza]

Jeremy Wilson @JWTelegraph
Wonder if Theo Walcott being a lifelong Liverpool fan will have any bearing on his decisions in next few days...#lfc #afc

[Reece]

Been thinking about this. I'm sure we are interested, but I just can't fathom us paying him 100k a week (which is what he reportedly wants) when we're trying to reduce the wage bill. Although I guess that could be offset if we get rid of one or more of Adam, Spearing, Downing, Carroll, Cole etc.

Also, how much do people think we'd actually have to pay as a transfer fee? Between £10m and £15m? More? Again, we'd surely have to sell to have that money available.

Basically, everything about this says to me that it won't happen.

[Muddled]

I think this is all positioning from Walcott and he'll sign a new deal at Arsenal.

[Fredo]

I don't think he'll go anywhere. He'll stay at Arsenal.

[Reece]

Quite possibly yeah

By some accounts Arsenal have made him a take it or leave it final offer though. ~£75k p/w. Which to be fair is pittance. I could never live on that measly sum.

The other option of course is that he stays without signing a new contract, and leaves on a free next year when he'd be able to get massive wages as a result of no transfer fee.

Will be interesting few days. Or not. Just can't see it being us who he ends up at. I'd certainly prefer him to Sturridge though.

[Alex]

Is Walcott a Liverpool fan? Didn't know that. Id guess that would have some sway. But if it came down to a straight fight with us and City, I cant see why he would choose us. He could go and play with people he is familiar with (Toure, Nasri and Clichy) and also stand a good chance of winning the league.

I also, don't really rate him. Most Arsenal fans I know dislike him too. He is too wasteful.

But his scoring record holds up as good as any. So I wouldn't be too gutted if we got him.

[Chazza]

If its a question of game time then we have a chance but, as has been said by others in this thread, I can't see us paying him the 100k a week and also a £12m-£15m transfer fee without shipping out 3-4 players.

I think we will end up with Dempsey and Scott Sinclair with Adam and Spearing going out.

[john316]

Been thinking about this. I'm sure we are interested, but I just can't fathom us paying him 100k a week (which is what he reportedly wants) when we're trying to reduce the wage bill. Although I guess that could be offset if we get rid of one or more of Adam, Spearing, Downing, Carroll, Cole etc.

Also, how much do people think we'd actually have to pay as a transfer fee? Between £10m and £15m? More? Again, we'd surely have to sell to have that money available.

Basically, everything about this says to me that it won't happen.

I think there is a change where money is being spent on better players rather than 'spreading' it around. The likes of Charlie Adam are on mega wages when he should never have been. I think we saw that a bit with the Sigurdsson deal where as Suarez has had his wages massively increased in his new deal. I imagine Skrtel had his bumped up a lot as well.

[kris90210]

Is Walcott a Liverpool fan? Didn't know that. Id guess that would have some sway. But if it came down to a straight fight with us and City, I cant see why he would choose us. He could go and play with people he is familiar with (Toure, Nasri and Clichy) and also stand a good chance of winning the league.

I also, don't really rate him. Most Arsenal fans I know dislike him too. He is too wasteful.

But his scoring record holds up as good as any. So I wouldn't be too gutted if we got him.

Yes, he is. I doubt that would hold too much sway those. Most footballers are professionals first, fans a distant second. I do think we'd stand a decent chance of getting him though. What city want is someone to replace Adam Johnson. Someone happy to be a squad player. Whereas for us he'd be a first team player, that alone would be a huge draw.

If city and ourselves were both competing for a first team player, they'd of course b overwhelming favourites. For Walcott, I think we'd have every chance of signing him.

[Muddled]

[JohnDoe]

Minutes per not looking useless:

Walcott 10.81 Downing 95.62

[Neil Young]

[Chazza]

Arsenal have told ESPN that talks with Theo Walcott over a new contract have not broken down and that no ultimatum has been issued to the winger.

Widespread reports in the media on Wednesday had claimed that Walcott, whose current deal is due to expire next summer, has been warned he must commit to a new deal before Friday's transfer deadline.

Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are all said to be ready to make a move, with a fee of around £12 million having been suggested, but the Gunners say they are still in talks with the player.

A spokesman for the North London club told ESPN: "It is all speculation. Negotiations are ongoing."

However, Walcott's advisors refused to offer an update when contacted by ESPN, responding only: "No comment to make."

Walcott, 23, signed for the Gunners from Southampton in 2006 and has since made 222 appearances in all competitions, scoring 42 goals.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1145498/arsenal-insist-theo-walcott-negotiations-are-ongoing?cc=5739

[Neil Young]

Arsenal have told ESPN that talks with Theo Walcott over a new contract have not broken down and that no ultimatum has been issued to the winger.

Widespread reports in the media on Wednesday had claimed that Walcott, whose current deal is due to expire next summer, has been warned he must commit to a new deal before Friday's transfer deadline.

Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are all said to be ready to make a move, with a fee of around £12 million having been suggested, but the Gunners say they are still in talks with the player.

A spokesman for the North London club told ESPN: "It is all speculation. Negotiations are ongoing."

However, Walcott's advisors refused to offer an update when contacted by ESPN, responding only: "No comment to make."

Walcott, 23, signed for the Gunners from Southampton in 2006 and has since made 222 appearances in all competitions, scoring 42 goals.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...ngoing?cc=5739

A totally unnecessary word that adds a sense of tension into what is otherwise a story saying there's no controversy and no news. Sly and manipulative.

How journalism all too often works.