Arsenal Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Theo Walcott and Alexandre Lacazette

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed he never considered selling in-form forward Theo Walcott this summer. The England man was linked with London rivals West Ham United, but Wenger revealed he never spoke to any club about a sale.

While Wenger didn't deny there was interest in Walcott, he was adamant he never intended to entertain any offers, per Mark Crellin of Sky Sports: "Look, I didn't speak to anybody because I was not ready to let him go. I always wanted to keep him."

It was understandable Wenger might have considered a bid for a player who has never really lived up to his potential since he signed from Southampton as a 16-year-old in 2006.

So it was no surprise when James Olley of the London Evening Standard credited the Hammers with a £25 million bid that Arsenal were reportedly considering back in early June.

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There may have even been pressure on Wenger to sell after Walcott was a bitter disappointment as a makeshift centre-forward for most of the 2015/16 season. However, Arsenal's jet-heeled winger has since revived his game.

Walcott has already scored seven times in Premier League and UEFA Champions League action so far this campaign, according to WhoScored.com. It's been a remarkable turnaround for the attacker who managed a mere nine goals in all competitions last season, per the Gunners' official site.

Wenger explained exactly why Walcott has improved, per Crellin:

"

What I've seen of him is that he lets the passion for the game come out of his body. That's what you want from him.

I've felt that since he's played with more freedom, maybe he lets his feelings come out a bit more and is less calculating: 'Can I do that or can I not do that?'

He plays with more freedom and more desire. I think he has a less restricted attitude and that shows you that he is a completely different player.

"

There are many factors in Walcott's reversal of form. For one thing, moving out of the middle and back to the right wing has made an enormous difference.

Walcott lacks the physical strength and natural tenacity to play with his back to goal. However, his movement has always been fluid, so a position on the flanks gives him more natural angles to attack defensive gaps with darting runs.

Yet the biggest boost for Walcott has been the emergence of Alexis Sanchez as a viable central striker. Similar to Walcott in many ways, the Chilean does boast greater energy and deceptive strength.

Sanchez's worker-bee qualities are proving the perfect foil for Walcott's pace and perception.

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The two are rotating positions along the forward line constantly and forming a devastating partnership. It's one proving that Wenger's faith in Walcott, more than many managers would be able to justify, is well-founded.

Major Bid for Alexandre Lacazette Revealed

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has revealed he turned down more than one offer worth close to £50 million from the Premier League for star striker and Arsenal target Alexandre Lacazette in the summer.

Aulas made the disclosure about the interest he rebuffed, per Italian source Tuttosport (h/t Metro's Mark Brus): "This summer, we rejected €55m (£49.7m) for Lacazette from two Premier League clubs and €37m from Napoli for (Corentin) Tolisso."

The Gunners seem likely as one of the clubs from England's top flight Aulas chose not to name, at least on this occasion. Back in July, Lyon took to Twitter (h/t BBC Sport) to announce they'd knocked back a £29.3 million offer from the north London club.

However, Sky Sports News HQ reported Arsenal were ready to return with a bigger bid.

At the time, it seemed like a rough blow for an Arsenal squad needing a prolific and creative talisman to lead the line up top. Lacazette fit the bill thanks to a keen eye for goal and a deadly combination of pace and flair.

Yet Sanchez adapting to a tricky transition from winger to centre-forward, along with Walcott's upturn in form, has meant the Gunners have no need to regret Lyon playing hardball in the summer.