Arsenal’s interest in Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez has all but confirmed that Theo Walcott no longer has a place at the club.
The Englishman has never really fulfilled the potential he had when he arrived as a youngster from Southampton, though this season injuries have been partly to blame for his demise.
Arsene Wenger has hinted several times that he will allow Walcott to leave this summer, with a host of big clubs linked.
Sadly for the 27-year-old, though, he is most likely going to have to wave goodbye to the prospect of Champions League football, as at present West Ham are his keenest suitors.
The London Evening Standard report that Arsenal will take £25million for their man and that West Ham boss Slaven Bilic is happy to meet that asking price.
Bilic might be forced to wait, as Arsenal don’t want to lose Walcott until they know they are definitely getting Vardy.
They need to move swiftly on the Vardy deal, though, because England boss Roy Hodgson has warned the Leicester forward that once he is on the plane to France, his mind should be on England matters alone.
Walcott, of course, did not make the squad for Euro 2016 and will be on no such plane.
That gives him plenty of time to think about his options, but right now West Ham might be the best he can hope for.
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