"I want to stay at Arsenal and become a legend like Thierry Henry" - Theo Walcott

Theo Walcott admits he is desperate to stay at Arsenal and sign a new contract.

The England star is in the final year of his deal but wants to commit his future to the club and boss Arsene Wenger.

Walcott, a target for Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea in the last week of the transfer window, said: “I have always wanted to stay. Hopefully, something can be agreed.

It has been suggested Walcott is seeking assurances of more playing time, especially up front.

Wenger converted Henry from a winger to Arsenal's all-time leading goalscorer and Walcott, who inherited the Frenchman's No 14 jersey, told ESPN: 'I want to be an Arsenal legend. Thierry joined the club when he was 22 and I want to become an Arsenal legend like him, playing up front as well, which is a big factor for me.

'I've played on the right wing and had the opportunity to play up front a bit more so I think it's about time.'

Talks over extending the 23-year-old's contract, which expires at the end of the season, reached crisis point last month when he rejected a new five-year deal worth £75,000 a week.

It was reported Walcott was holding out for £100,000 a week, but he said: 'That speculation on the money side of it has never been me. That's not me.

'I'm not the sort of person who's influenced by money. I always make my decisions based on football and only football.

'Hopefully, something can be sorted out. I'll just wait for the club to get back to us now and go from there.'

He added: 'It's a slow process. 'My last contract took over six months to happen. Hopefully, it can be sorted out.

'I've never said I wanted to go, I've always wanted to stay.'

However, the England star refused to rule out leaving Arsenal completely. 'It's one of those things that happens in the game,' he said. 'If it comes to it, if the club had to sell me, I'd be disappointed but, like I said, hopefully something can be sorted.'