Arsenal Transfer Rumors: Jesus Navas Would Make Theo Walcott Expendable

With former stars Robin van Persie and Alex Song sold this summer and winger Theo Walcott looking for a big payday in the final year of his contract, Arsene Wenger could kill two birds with one Jesus Navas if he is able to buy the Sevilla winger:

Make a big splash that will make the fans happy and ensure the team has a replacement for Theo Walcott should his price be too high for Arsenal's tastes.

And according to the Daily Mail, Wenger is very interested in the playmaking Spanish winger:

"

Arsenal could make their second Spanish swoop of the summer by launching a bid for Sevilla winger Jesus Navas.

The Gunners have already raided La Liga for Malaga forward Santi Cazorla but reports in Spain suggest boss Arsene Wenger is lining up Navas as a replacement for contract rebel Theo Walcott.

The 26-year-old has a £35million buy-out clause but Sevilla are willing to accept a bid of around half that amount.

"

Navas had five goals and 12 assists in 37 La Liga games last season, and he would give Arsenal one of the more creative and crafty attacks in the Premier League with Santi Cazorla, Mikel Arteta and eventually Jack Wilshere all facilitating the offense.

Though I would love to see Walcott stick around, Navas would definitely be an upgrade on the wing. Any time you have the class as a player to crack the Spanish national team, you're good enough for my team.

And put Navas on a team with the firepower of Arsenal as opposed to Sevilla and I think you'll see a major boost in both his goal-scoring and assist numbers. He seems like the perfect fit for Wenger's style and tactics.

Of course, I wouldn't put this in the "likely to happen" bin just yet. Navas apparently knows nothing of Arsenal's interest, and his anxiety traveling away from his hometown of Sevilla is well-documented.

But boy oh boy, would it be exciting for Arsenal if he would make a move to the Emirates. He may not make fans forget about Van Persie, but he certainly would have everyone excited about the team on the pitch to think of other things beyond the departed striker.

The same would hold true for Song and Walcott, if he indeed can't come to terms with Wenger and is ultimately sold. Or, any rumored Navas interest at all might simply be Arsenal's way of telling Walcott, "We can replace you if we don't find your contract demands suitable."

Like them or despise them, love their moves or decry them as a feeder club, Arsenal always manage to be interesting. Add these rumors to the entertaining summer the Gunners have already given us.

Hit me up on Twitter—my tweets are cracking like a Ronda Rousey armbar.