EXCLUSIVE
West Ham are sounding out the possibility of signing Arsenal’s Theo Walcott for a fee in the region of £25million.
Standard Sport understands the same agency negotiating Jamie Vardy’s potential move from Leicester City to the Gunners are also involved with Walcott’s possible departure.
The two transfers are linked given Arsenal are unlikely to sanction Walcott’s departure until Vardy’s switch is confirmed although the former’s future at Emirates Stadium has been unclear for some time.
It is believed the 27-year-old has grown frustrated at a lack of first-team opportunities during the second half of last season but will find it difficult to leave the club he joined ten years ago from Southampton.
The Hammers are scouring Europe to bolster their attacking options and although they are understood to have reservations over Walcott’s injury record, he is theoretically approaching the peak years of his career and is available for a competitive price.
Walcott’s £140,000-a-week wages are an issue, however, and he may have to take a cut to seal a move to the Olympic Stadium but his failure to make England’s Euro 2016 squad has prompted a reassessment of his situation to get his career back on track.
Vardy’s imminent arrival would demote him further down the pecking order. Arsenal are thought to have agreed terms on a three-year deal with an option for a fourth worth £120,000-a-week – double what he earns at the Premier League champions.
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Leicester have made him a counter offer and Vardy was expected to provide Arsenal with an indication of his plans prior to flying out to France with the England squad as they step up their Euro 2016 preparations.
It is understood as of late last night, no medical had taken place despite reports to the contrary.
Vardy was believed to be weighing up a move with Foxes boss Claudio Ranieri urging him to stay for another season and play in the Champions League with the team that defied all the odds to win the title last season.
But Arsenal’s pedigree in the competition makes them a clear step up in European terms.
