Arsenal Transfer News: Theo Walcott Eyed in Manchester City Rumours

Arsenal forward Theo Walcott is reportedly a summer target for Manchester City, with incoming Sky Blues manager Pep Guardiola asking the club to "monitor [his] situation closely."

According to the Evening Standard's James Olley, the current Bayern Munich boss is a "keen admirer" of Walcott, 27, and the Spaniard is looking to take advantage as the Englishman reaches a "crossroads in his career at Emirates Stadium."

Bleacher Report's Dean Jones previously reported Walcott is likely to leave the Gunners in the summer if he is not selected in Roy Hodgson's England squad for UEFA Euro 2016, a genuine possibility given the competition and his recent poor form:

After a decent start to the season, Walcott has only been a bit-part player as Arsenal have fallen off the pace in the title race, and he has netted only twice in the Premier League since the turn of the year, taking his tally for the campaign to five, per WhoScored.com.

His attempts to establish himself as central striker have largely failed, and there is little chance of him getting into Hodgson's squad as a forward ahead of the likes of Jamie Vardy, Daniel Sturridge, Harry Kane, Danny Welbeck and Wayne Rooney.

Season	Appearances (as a sub)	Minutes	Goals	Assists
2015-16	15(12)	1344	5	2
2014-15	4(10)	442	5	-
2013-14	9(4)	859	5	4
2012-13	24(8)	2286	14	10
2011-12	32(3)	2749	8	8
2010-11	19(9)	1696	9	7
2009-10	12(11)	1132	3	2

Having shown real promise when he was a youngster, Walcott has never quite reached the level many expected of him, and his career has stalled recently.

However, he could be given a new lease of life at City, and Guardiola undoubtedly is attracted by his terrific pace.

Walcott famously caused Pep's Barca side all kinds of problems when Arsenal faced them in the UEFA Champions League back in 2010, prompting the great Lionel Messi to say "he was one of the most dangerous players I have ever played against," per Jeremy Wilson in the Telegraph.

Per Wilson, Guardiola said at the time that "you needed a pistol to stop him," and seemingly his admiration for Walcott has not disappeared.

According to Olley, City are also interested in signing Walcott because he would add to the number of English players they have in their squad, and the Sky Blues "would not find his £140,000-a-week wage prohibitive."

Given the struggles Walcott has had of late, it would be no surprise to see him leave Arsenal in the summer after more than a decade at the club.

While the Gunners would likely be reluctant to sell him on to a direct Premier League rival, City have more than enough money to tempt them with a bumper offer.