According to Everton boss Sam Allardyce, the Toffees are in talks to sign Arsenal forward Theo Walcott. The Toffees boss stated that he did not feel a deal was imminent. However, it seems Arsenal are prepared to let the winger leave this month.
The 28-year-old England international has fallen well down the pecking order and his career now seems in limbo. A move elsewhere may just be what Walcott needs to revive his career, as he has failed to even start a Premier League game this season.
Theo Walcott is not young anymore
I am always surprised when I read Theo Walcott’s age. I remember when he broke through at Arsenal and for England at 16. He looked such a bright prospect and looked like he had a bright future in the age.
Fast forward 12 years and most observers are still waiting for the winger to fulfil his potential. At 28-years old and still considered to be a player with potential must sting for Walcott.
Theo Walcott needs to start to play games and again, or his career will most likely be looked upon as a wasted one. He has scored over a hundred goals for the Gunners, but he has been there over a decade. Surely, he would have wanted to achieve more than just a century of goals.
He may have won a few FA Cup winners medals. However, on a personal level, his career has not quite gone to plan. There have been question marks over Walcott’s desire to play football in the past and they are always likely with a player who seems like he is disinterested at times.
He would do well at Everton
To be honest there are mixed opinions amongst Evertonian’s about signing Walcott. The team have lacked pace for much of the campaign and Walcott has pace in abundance.
However, it seems some Everton fans do not want Walcott at the club because of his stalled career at Arsenal. Other fans are also questioning the mooted fee of £20million for a player who turns 29 in March, while many have talked about his history of injury.
The positives for Everton are that the Blues would be getting an experienced Premier League player that knows how to score and would not need time to adjust to the league. The all-important pace would also be a crucial addition to the Everton squad.
Everton do have a number of wingers in the likes of Yannick Bolasie, Nikola Vlasic, Ademola Lookman and Aaron Lennon. However, out of the quartet, Lennon is the only right-winger, as the others predominantly play on the left.
Lennon works hard but lacks a final product at times. For me, Walcott would definitely be an upgrade on the former Tottenham man. The England international has stated in the past that he prefers to play as a central striker. However, at Everton, he could play regularly on the right wing, which would give him a chance to fulfil some of his potential.
Everton favourites to sign Walcott
While Walcott’s former club Southampton and even West Ham have been linked with a move for the star, Everton are now favourites to sign the forward before the month is out.
According to the reports coming out of north London, the player is not agitating for a move. However, he is frustrated at not getting first team football with a World Cup just six months away. Walcott is currently an outsider to make Gareth Southgate’s squad for Russia 2018 at odds of 12/1.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has stated that he does not want to frustrate the forward, although he does not want him to go. To me, that sounds like Wenger is waiting to see if the player asks for a move.
If Theo Walcott decides he wants to move on, then I do believe that Arsenal will allow him to go this month. The forward no longer seems needed at the north London. It is all down to the player now.
He has two options he can take the easy option, sit on the bench, and earn money for playing very little football. The other option is a move to Everton, play regularly and kick-start his career. The next few weeks could well be crucial in the football career of Theo Walcott.
Will Theo Walcott join Everton this month?
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