6th July, 2012
Theo Walcott is ready to follow Robin van Persie out of the Arsenal exit door.
The England star, 23, is devastated by Van Persie’s decision not to renew his contract at the Emirates.
Winger Walcott is in an identical position to the Dutch striker, as he is entering the final year of his current deal.
Walcott has always maintained that he would refrain from committing his own future until Van Persie showed his hand.
The two players are extremely close, on and off the field.
Friends claim Van Persie’s decision will have a huge impact on Chelsea target Walcott. Informal talks have already taken place between Arsenal and Walcott’s advisers.
On the table is a new four-year deal that would take his wages of £55,000-a-week to around £80,000.
But Walcott has the option of leaving on a Bosman free transfer next summer or face being sold now if the Gunners refuse to allow him to walk away for nothing.
The only way Arsenal can keep him is to seriously up their offer. And they must also convince him they are prepared to invest heavily to compete for honours, which they failed to do with Van Persie.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are on the brink of civil war after a stinging attack from two of the club’s biggest shareholders.
Alisher Usmanov and Farhad Moshiri, who own a 30 per cent stake in the Gunners, have questioned the way the club is being run after Robin van Persie became the latest star player to express his desire to leave.
The pair run Red and White Securities Ltd, who continue to buy up shares despite having no place on the board at the Emirates, and they went public to criticise the current regime’s approach.
In an open letter to the board, they are on the brink of civil war after a stinging attack from two of the club’s biggest shareholders.