Arsenal Transfer News: Marco Reus Targeted Amid Theo Walcott Liverpool Rumours

Arsenal "could replace Theo Walcott" with the capture of Borussia Dortmund's Marco Reus, according to Jeremy Wilson of The Telegraph.

Arsene Wenger has reportedly "admired and been tracking [Reus] for several years" and could use Walcott's current contract situation as an opportunity to make the upgrade.

Despite Wenger admitting that negotiations have begun over a new deal for the Englishman—"the first contacts have been made and we will see how that progresses," he said, per Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail—Walcott recently risked the wrath of his boss by tweeting that talks are yet to begin:

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As such, Wilson believes the Gunners "remain interested" in Reus, who would amount to Arsenal's third world-class signing in as many summers. Walcott continues to be linked with a move to Liverpool, per John Cross of the Mirror. Nick Sutton of BBC Radio 4 recently tweeted the Mirror's headline on this situation:

Walcott has yet to make much of an impression during an injury-hampered season. He has made eight Premier League appearances—just three of which were starts, reported by WhoScored.com. The 26-year-old has grabbed two goals in this time, but Walcott's best run of form at the Emirates Stadium came just before he inked his current contract.

In fact, the 2012-13 season is the only time he's reached double-figures in goals and assists for the club. He racked up an excellent 14 strikes and created 10 goals in the Premier League that campaign, thriving off Wenger's decision to play him as a striker. Walcott previously stated that "playing up front is important," per BBC Sport, but he was quickly pushed back to the flank once he had signed on the dotted line.

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There's a feeling that he might flourish as a big player with a smaller club. Arsenal's play is rarely built around Walcott's pace, but if he was given an opportunity to sit on the last defender as a striker for another Premier League team, his true worth might appear.

Cross believes Walcott will prioritise responsibility over cash:

With Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez and Danny Welbeck adding to Arsenal's attacking squad depth over the last two years, Walcott's injury problems and consequent lack of form has made him something of a forgotten man. Reus' arrival would add to this, particularly as he can play anywhere across the offensive line.

Even during a spell of consistent injuries and squad-wide bad form at the Westfalenstadion, Reus has netted 10 goals and provided six assists across 20 appearances in the Bundesliga and the Champions League this term, per WhoScored. He is a special player and, unfortunately for Walcott, would cast a huge shadow over the former Southampton man's importance if he made the move to north London.

B/R UK's James McNicholas doesn't believe Walcott would make it into Arsenal's best XI as it is:

Though Walcott has been under Wenger's tutelage since 2006, Arsenal fans are unlikely to complain if he departs and someone of Reus' ilk comes in. Walcott is not a young player anymore, and he cannot afford to amble along if he's ever going to reach the potential many saw as a teenager.

Wenger's ambition is likely to be summarised by what he does in this situation. The Frenchman is loyal to his players, but there comes a point when he has to admit that Arsenal could improve by bringing in new personnel. Reus' qualities are revered across the world. He'd be an instant hit at Arsenal, even if Walcott would need to be sacrificed in the process.