Metro: Walcott exit looms

Theo Walcott has moved a step closer to the exit door at Arsenal after going past the deadline set by Arsene Wenger to agree a new contract.

Walcott, whose current deal expires at the end of the season, was initially set a deadline of Christmas to sign an extension, but talks have continually broken down.

There are currently no new plans to hold negotiations until at least mid-January, meaning Walcott will move beyond the deadline set and could now be sold in the new year.

According to the BBC, Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool have all expressed an interest in signing Walcott, with the latter willing to stump up the cash to do a deal in January.

City, United and Chelsea are all opting to sit tight and hope to nab Walcott on a free transfer at the end of the season, and with Arsenal refusing to meet the player's current demands that is looking more and more likely.

Arsenal have offered Walcott a small increase on his current salary, boosting it to £75,000-a-week, but the England international wants £100,000-a-week and the promise he can earn a regular run in the side playing up front.

It is understood that Arsenal are currently unwilling to meet those demands, and a fee of around £6million could be enough to tempt the Gunners to sell in the next transfer window.

Source: Metro