Arsenal Transfer News: Latest Theo Walcott, Julian Draxler Rumours

Theo Walcott, who has less than a year left on his current deal at Arsenal, is hoping for an improved contract and will hold out into the season if need be.

According to Nick Callow of the Daily Star, Walcott "wants £100,000-a-week to put him on a par with the club's top earners."

The forward admitted he is prepared to wait while his agent agrees terms with the club, relayed by Callow: 

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My agent has talked to the club. I enjoy playing for this club so I am just letting them crack on with things and I'll continue playing football. If it happens, it happens. We'll just play the waiting game and see what happens, but I'm sure it won't be long.

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Walcott also added that his contract situation would not change his commitment to performing well each week: "You don't want to dwell on it. I won't let that delay the way I'm going to be playing this season. I can't let that affect me, I want to do well for this club."

As Callow points out, by January 2016, Walcott will have been with the Gunners for a decade, making him the longest-serving player in Arsenal's squad.

A severe knee injury restricted the 26-year-old to just seven starts in all competitions last season, but Walcott did manage to show flashes of his quality by scoring seven goals.

Walcott's prolific spell in front of goal saw him stand out compared to his peers, as WhoScored.com notes:

Despite his injury problems, the pacey attacker has much to offer Arsenal, and the Gunners would be wise to avoid letting him leave for nothing next summer.

With the north London club now free to spend following their expensive move to the Emirates Stadium, expect them to tie Walcott down for several more years with a new deal sooner rather than later.

Arsenal Target Julian Draxler Could be Heading to Juventus

As reported by David Amoyal, a translator on the website of Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Juventus are preparing a bid for long-term Arsenal target Julian Draxler.

The Gunners have often been linked with the Schalke midfielder, and they last were as recently as June by Joe Short of the Express. 

The 21-year-old suffered a thigh injury that saw him miss a large part of last season, but in 2013-14, he scored five goals and made seven assists in all competitions.

Frank Augstein/Associated Press

Technically gifted and physical, Draxler would likely do well at Arsenal. Being as young as he is, he would represent an excellent long-term signing as he continues to develop.

However, Arsenal are more in need of a new striker or defensive options than another creative midfielder.

With that being the case, a move to Juventus seems much more likely with Arturo Vidal and Paul Pogba's futures up in the air.