Theo Walcott close to signing new Arsenal contract

Theo Walcott has moved a step closer to signing a new Arsenal contract following a breakthrough in talks.

Walcott told the club when negotiations re-commenced in late October that he is willing to lower his salary demands to £90,000-a-week to remain at Emirates Stadium.

In turn, Arsenal indicated they will increase their contract offer from £75,000-a-week to £80,000-a-week and Arsene Wenger has told the in-form forward he will get opportunities to play as a centre-forward.

The shift in stance from the two parties is the firmest indication yet that Walcott will sign a new five-year deal.

A third round of talks will take place in the near future, although no date is scheduled, with both Arsenal and Walcott’s camp hopeful that it will result in the player committing the prime years of his career to the club.

Wenger has remained tight-lipped about the situation, merely saying that the club “have until the end of December to sort this out”.