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Walcott verdict in 24 hours, says Wenger
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 Arsenal
manager Arsene Wenger hopes to have a decision on his bid to sign
Theo Walcott from Southampton 'in the next 24 hours'.
The Gunners are understood to have tabled a formal offer for the
sought-after Saints striker, in a deal which could be worth £12.5million.
The Coca-Cola Championship club confirmed earlier this week bids
from two 'top Premiership clubs' had been received.
Chelsea are believed to be the other interested party, while Tottenham
manager Martin Jol today revealed his club have also inquired about
the teenager's availability.
Arsenal, though, seem to be at the head of the queue - with the
16-year-old thought keenest to further his career in north London.
Wenger said: 'We are very heavily in the race. But nothing is done
- and as long as nothing is signed, you cannot talk about it.'
He told his club's official website: 'However, we are hoping to
get a decision in the next 24 hours.'
Neither Arsenal nor Southampton was today making any official announcements,
but it has been widely suggested Walcott will be unveiled by the
Gunners at their regular pre-match press conference on Friday.
As a public limited company, Southampton are obliged to inform
the London Stock Exchange when any deal has been completed - and
that could happen first thing tomorrow morning.
Chelsea are said to have offered more than the initial £4.5million
reported to be on the table from the Gunners, which would rise to
around £12million based on appearances and the players' development.
However, it is that opportunity to further his career with regular
rather than sporadic tastes of first-team football for Arsenal which
may prove key to Walcott's decision.
A player of his age can sign a deal for a maximum of three years,
with the option to extend the contract in the near future.
Walcott, though, cannot technically sign a professional contract
with Gunners until his 17th birthday on March 16.
Wenger last week admitted allowing the young striker to stay at
St Mary's for the rest of the season would 'not be a deal breaker'.
But latest indications are that such an arrangement is a non-starter,
with the Arsenal manager keen Walcott should not to be stretched
and risk injury by playing too many Championship matches.
Arsenal travel to Everton on Saturday when they are likely to face
something of a selection crisis in defence.
England left-back Ashley Cole is reported to have suffered a recurrence
of his foot problem, while Pascal Cygan has already been ruled out
for around three weeks with a hamstring injury. Centre-back Sol
Campbell (ankle) is expected to need a fitness test.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=355671&cc=5901
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