Everton have joined the queue for the services of Arsenal winger Theo Walcott, with the England international looking set to leave the Emirates Stadium in this transfer window.
Walcott’s former club, Southampton, had been leading the race to land the 27-year old, but Everton have now joined in the race to land the player valued at £20million.
Arsenal may consider letting the England forward leave this month, with Walcott on the periphery of Arsene Wenger’s first-team plans and Everton are confident that they can beat the Saints to Walcott’s signature this month.
Everton would be able to get close to Walcott’s current deal, worth £110,000 per week; while Southampton’s financial limits would mean the 28-year-old would need to take pay cut to rejoin the club where he started his career.
However, much could depend on whether Alexis Sanchez moves on this month, with Wenger unlikely to sanction exits for both Walcott and the Chilean without having replacements lined up.