LONDON. – Arsenal are willing to sell Theo Walcott in January after 10 years at the English Premiership soccer club. The England winger is not wanted by boss Arsene Wenger, and is free to leave if a suitable offer comes in. Premier League strugglers West Ham and former side Southampton are both understood to be interested. Having joined the club as a 16-year-old for £12million, Walcott’s career has stagnated in recent times and Wenger is expected to show him the door should a suitable bid be made for his services.

The 28-year-old has been a bit-part figure this season, making just 10 appearances, mostly in cup competitions. Wenger is planning to raise funds for his transfer kitty by offloading a number of fringe players over the next eight-months. The Gunners expect to lose Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil next year, and will need to sign replacements.

Mathieu Debuchy, Carl Jenkinson and Calum Chambers could also all be sold or loaned out next month. Walcott joined Arsenal as a 16-year-old for £12m from Southampton as one of England’s brightest talents. He has gone on to have a low-key career at the Emirates, winning three FA Cup trophies. The Three Lions ace has scored 65 goals in 267 Premier League appearances for the club.

With speculation surrounding the futures of Ozil, Sanchez and Jack Wilshere – who are out of contract at the end of the season – there could be plenty of new faces coming to north London to replace them. And Wenger wants to raise more funds by cashing in on Walcott.

Meanwhile, Olivier Giroud will have to decide whether to leave Arsenal during the winter transfer window, France’s assistant coach Guy Stephan has said.

Last summer’s arrival of international teammate Alexandre Lacazette has seen Giroud limited to cameo roles with Arsenal in the Premier League so far this season with 12 top-flight appearances solely from the bench. Giroud (31) won his 69th senior cap for France in the 2-0 win over Wales last month, but was replaced late on by Lacazette, who then started the 2-2 draw with Germany.

With Lacazette being Wenger’s preferred choice in attack, and scoring eight goals in 15 Premier League matches, Giroud is in danger of falling out of France’s World Cup squad for Russia next summer. Stephan, Didier Deschamps’ long-time assistant, explained Giroud – who has a healthy return of 29 goals for his country – may have to leave the Emirates Stadium in January to ensure he does not miss out.

“It’s clear that in terms of playing time, it’s insufficient,” Stephan told TF1.

“Didier’s already had the opportunity to talk about it. He has to find a solution in the coming weeks.”

When asked whether Giroud should consider a switch, Stephan said: “It’s up to him. He’s played very well in recent months with us. He has a very good goals-to-games ratio, but he now has to play.”

And Sevilla star Steven N’Zonzi has reportedly caught a flight to London amid speculation he’s set for a return to the English Premier League.

The 28-year-old midfielder, who had an underwhelming three-year spell at Stoke City, has turned his career around in Spain and Wenger has been keeping close tabs on his contract situation at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium. – The Sun-ESPN.

 

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