Liverpool Transfer Rumours: Why Theo Walcott Is Right to Consider Anfield Move

With his Arsenal future in extreme uncertainty, Gunners fans are coming to grips with the fact that Theo Walcott could leave the Emirates Stadium in January, and Anfield should be his next destination.

The Daily Mirror have reported that Liverpool and Manchester City are showing a firm interest in the English asset who has only eight months left on his contract, and are keen to take him away from north London.

Walcott has stated that he would like to keep playing under Arsene Wenger but there would appear to be too many factors working against the 23-year-old to remain under his current conditions.

A northward switch to Liverpool would be advantageous to all parties involved and there are simply too many positives of a Merseyside move for it not to be considered.

Positional Preference

A sticking point in the ongoing transfer saga in north London, Theo Walcott has made no secret of the fact that he wishes to revert to his original position of striker rather than ply his trade out wide.

The former Southampton starlet began his career as a striker at St. Mary’s, displaying the kind of form that attracted Arsenal’s eye in the first place. A number of factors meant that a position on the wings was the only one plausible for Walcott and he’s found it impossible to transition back.

According to an interview conducted on my BURST Radio podcast earlier in October, Patrick Barclay of the London Evening Standard agreed that Walcott deserved the chance to return to his old spot up front.

It’s common knowledge that Walcott is fast—really fast. However, the speedster lacks when it comes to crossing and his delivery in the final third is a point of criticism while his finishing is actually of quite a high standard.

Despite having only started twice this season, Walcott has scored four goals in all competitions and Liverpool’s lack of strikers means the attacker would more than likely get his way as part of any transfer to Anfield.

Increased Value

Despite their lack of titles in recent history, Arsenal actually have an incredibly talented squad and are particularly well looked after out wide.

Players such as Santi Cazorla, Gervinho, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lukas Podolski are all capable of playing on the wings at the Emirates Stadium.

Under Brendan Rodgers, Walcott would be competing with the likes of Luis Suarez, Stewart Downing, Joe Cole, Raheem Sterling and Suso for the attacking places. Not to belittle the Reds’ assets but the quality just isn’t quite as high.

Every player wants to win silverware but the idea of being one of your club’s most valued players is also a big draw for any star, something Walcott has much better chances of on Merseyside.

Wages

In the modern era, football continues to behave less like a sport and more like a business at times, in the Premier League as much as anywhere else.

As such, money is a staple in any star’s contract and the Daily Mirror also supposes that Arsenal are unwilling to pay their youngster over £80,000-a-week.

Arsenal are renowned for their stern approach when it comes to player wages, and have proven themselves to be stubborn on this matter in the past, sticking to their economically-targeted guns.

Under their newest American owners, Fenway Sports Group, it’s been proven that big salaries are something that can be handed out should the club feel their player deserves it.

Walcott is evidently seeking wages of something closer to £100,000-a-week, more than his current side are willing to offer; and if Liverpool are to sign the forward, that kind of salary is something they may just be willing to shell out.