Arsenal are set to open contract negotiations with Theo Walcott but are keeping a close on the Raheem Sterling situation at Liverpool should talks turn sour.
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Mirror Online say discussions between club and player will begin following the Gunners FA Cup final with Aston Villa this weekend as Walcott has one-year left on his £90,000-a-week deal.
Walcott’s first option, it’s claimed, is to remain in north London but he harbours concerns not over pay but how much playing time he will likely accrue if he commits his long-term future to the Emirates.
If talks hit an impasse, it could open the door to a sensational transfer merry-go-round between Arsenal and Liverpool which would involve Raheem Sterling, who is on the Gunners hit-list, moving to London with Theo Walcott heading up to Merseyside.
Manchester City are keen on Sterling but Arsenal, along with Chelsea, believe the appeal of the English capital could work in there favour to any particular deal.
However, for Arsenal at least, any move for Sterling depends on the outcome of the Walcott talks.
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