da apostaganha： According to Sky Sports, Southampton are the favourites to sign Arsenal winger Theo Walcott, who is rated at £18m according to Transfermarkt, but his future is still yet to be decided by the north London outfit.
What’s the word, then?
da betway： Well, Sky Sports reports that Saints are leading the race to re-sign the 28-year-old if he leaves the Emirates Stadium this month, with his position likely to become clearer in the next week with talks between the club and his representatives due to take place.
Sky Sports says that the England international remains a popular figure at St Mary’s having left the south coast outfit to join Arsenal as a 16-year-old in 2006, and he would be welcomed back in order to help Mauricio Pellegrino’s side get out of the trouble they currently find themselves in towards the bottom of the Premier League table.
The report adds that Southampton may struggle to match Walcott’s £120,000-a-week wage demands, but he could be willing to take a pay cut in order to play regularly and boost his chances of going to the World Cup in the second-half of the campaign.
How has Walcott done this season?
Despite scoring 19 goals in 37 appearances in all competitions for the Gunners last season, the winger has found first-team opportunities hard to come by in the Premier League this term.
While the 28-year-old has started five Europa League matches and three EFL Cup games, he is yet to start in the top flight and has been restricted to five brief substitute outings – including the 2-2 draw against Chelsea on Wednesday night.
Will Southampton sign him this month?
It’s difficult to say.
While the report from Sky Sports suggests that Walcott is happy to rejoin Saints, there are a number of factors that could affect a deal.
With Olivier Giroud injured and Alexis Sanchez potentially leaving the Emirates this month, Arsene Wenger may choose to hold on to the attacker, while the south coast outfit’s struggles – they currently lie outside of the relegation zone on goal difference – could put the 28-year-old off.
His wages could also be an issue, but it is clear that Southampton need new additions to boost their squad, and if they are serious about staying away from the bottom three then they need to invest money in bringing experienced players like Walcott to the club this month.