Arsenal Transfer News: Alexis Sanchez Rumours Fuelled, Theo Walcott Deal Close

Speculation linking Juventus with a move for Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez has intensified after Giuseppe Marotta, the Italian outfit's sporting director, refused to rule out a move for the Chilean. Plus, Theo Walcott is reportedly "on the verge" of a move to West Ham United. 

Marotta spoke to GianlucaDiMarzio.com's Luca Mastrolilli this week and explicitly ruled out moves for Roma playmaker Miralem Pjanic and Real Madrid's Isco, but he was significantly more at ease when quizzed on Arsenal's maestro: "Sanchez? He's a great player."

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

Arsenal once again fell short of their Premier League title hopes this season, and the Sun's Lee Astley recently reported Sanchez is "unsettled" in north London and "could ask to leave" this summer.

According to Squawka's Greg Stobart, Arsenal have informed Sanchez he won't be sold this summer, even if he refuses to sign the £180,000-a-week contract he's allegedly been offered.

The Gunners' stance could lead to an awkward final two years of his current £135,000-a-week deal, and Stobart mentioned "Arsenal are aware his [Sanchez's] transfer market value could drop" if the saga endures.

Bayern Munich and Manchester City are mentioned alongside Juve as some of the European powerhouses who hope to lure the winger from the Emirates Stadium. However, the Gunners will assuredly wish to hold onto their forward, who is currently in a hot streak of form, according to Match of the Day:

Whether or not the Bianconeri make a serious challenge to acquire Sanchez may depend on their outbound activity. Alvaro Morata has been tipped for a move back to Real Madrid, but Marotta expressed his belief the Spaniard will stay in Turin: 

"

We will discuss Morata with Real, but the months ahead are long. If [Edinson] Cavani can come? Our attack meets all requirements, made up of three players whom all arrived last summer. We're very happy with what they are doing and if a player like Morata leaves then we will evaluate what to do but I think that we will start next Serie A season with this arrangement.

"

Elsewhere, the Sun's Duncan Wright has reported Walcott is "attracted to the challenge of helping West Ham mark their move to the Olympic Stadium," and Arsenal will allegedly let him leave for a fee in the region of £20 million.

The Hammers are looking to push on this summer after an extremely encouraging league campaign, and the club recently confirmed all season tickets have already sold out for their inaugural season at the Olympic Stadium, per Sky Sports News HQ:

That added revenue, combined with the funds provided by the Premier League's new television sponsorship agreement, should allow the east Londoners to mount a challenge for elite-level talent in the transfer market.

West Ham co-owner David Sullivan informed Sky Sports this week that the club have already bid €30 million (£23.7 million) for a striker, and Metro's Chris Winterburn suggested the mystery man could be Walcott:

A host of European talents are mentioned by Wright as being on West Ham's radar, including Marseille's Michy Batshuayi and Lyon's Alexandre Lacazette, but London native Walcott is a tried and true asset in England's top flight.

The 27-year-old has scored nine goals and made seven assists this season, starting in just 22 of his 42 appearances. But Arsenal may not entertain the idea of selling their versatile attacker to a direct rival.