Theo Walcott: Arsene Wenger '99%' sure of new Arsenal contract
Last updated on .From the section Football
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is "99%" confident that Theo Walcott will sign a new contract at the club and hopes the deal can be finalised by this weekend.
The England forward, 23, is in the final six months of his deal and could leave on a free transfer in the summer.
But Wenger said: "My optimism is at 99% now. I was scared that he could leave.
"It took us some time to get where we want to get and it's still not finalised, but hopefully it will be done by this weekend."
Walcott is Arsenal's top scorer this season with 14 goals, his best tally in a single campaign since joining Arsenal from Southampton in 2006.
But he worth £75,000 a week in August and is holding out for closer to £100,000 a week.
"With the experience I have in negotiations, when things last too long it's never a good sign," said Wenger in the build-up to Sunday's trip to Chelsea.
"But I hope [it will be done by this weekend]. There is a possibility."
Wenger has been linked with a move for Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha, and the Frenchman confirmed his interest in the 20-year-old.
"We are looking at him, but at the moment we have not made any bid for him," said the Gunners boss.
"I don't know if Manchester United are in for him as well but anyway if you call any club for any player they will tell you Man United, Milan and Real Madrid are all well in for him."
Reports have also suggested Arsenal are keen to sign Napoli's 25-year-old Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani.
"I like him as a player," said Wenger. "Will he cost a lot of money? That's for sure. Nobody would deny that. Our banker lives just next to me at the moment and he is ready if we find the right player.
"The prices go always up at the start of the transfer market and go down in the last week. Sometimes as well they go up in the last week, but most of the time they go down in the last week.
"You know 90% of the transfer activity happens in the last week, if not in the last 48 hours."
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That's just ridiculous ! What's he done that makes him think he's worth £100k a week. This is why Arsenals ticket prices are so high and the working man is being priced out of attending the games !
You are bang on the money. I am an Arsenal fan for 40 years and will follow them whatever the results. Sick to the back teeth of all the glory hunters who throw out the teddy because we are not #1 at the moment. Get real you cant win all the time its life!
Walcott: I will regret it forever if I don't fulfill my ambition and play play up front for my prime years
Wenger: Can't promise you that [Contract not signed]
20 games later... Wenger plays him up front for 6 - 8 games in a row and promises him that position.
Walcott: Ok now I'll sign.
However, no matter what, fans pin every decision in a footballers career on money.
So if they're so financially prudent, why on earth are they willing to pay £100k a week to anyone, let alone Walcott.....?
Walcott is a major disappointment. He looked promising, now he's bottled it to go somewhere and try and be a man. Would clearly prefer to hide behind uncle Arsene who'll protect him from the next 4 years of "why didn't he achieve his potential?" abuse from Arsenal fans.
He's not a playmaker or a tough midfielder who can take a game by the scruff of the neck... he's an impact player.
Admittedly he's not developed as quickly as he might of, but he definitely has an end product now.
Up and down maybe, but if he performed consistently he would be properly world class..
As it is, he's just very good... and could get better.
What are you on about? What a ridiculous response to a perfectly reasonable criticism. You might have money to burn but most fans want to be treated with some respect from the club they've supported all their lives and to suggest that all lower payed people that can't afford £62 a ticket shows a distict lack of intelligence. All money no class my friend.
AW: I will offer you £75K a week
TW: No I want to be a striker
AW: How about £100K?
TW: Yes!!!!!!!!
Gone are the days of a under 16s North Bank Season ticket for 50 quid.
And Loserpool have no future, guaranteed.
YAWN
He's a great scout of players, terrific coach @ bringing players on and will always have Arsenal challenging for a top 4 place. I know that may hurt Arsenal fans but who better?
i'd still support Arsenal if we never won anything ever again. that'd be preferable to having our club be like Man City or Chelsea, by a criminal or a sheikh. and that's why i'd never want Usmanov.
the glory hunters who claim to support those clubs and their methods, are the pitiable ones...