Theo Walcott latest: Arsenal winger 'agrees' new contract, ending exit speculation

England international has less than a year to run on his current deal

Simon Rice
Sunday 26 July 2015 22:02 BST
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Theo Walcott
Theo Walcott (GETTY IMAGES)

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Theo Walcott and Arsenal have reached agreement over a new contract, according to reports.

The England international has less than a year to run on his current deal and recently revealed that his agent was in discussions over new terms.

According to The Mirror, Walcott will be paid in excess of £100,000-a-week and sign a deal running until 2019.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger refused to answer questions about whether he was optimistic that Walcott would stay at the club following the recent 3-1 win over Everton in Singapore.

26-year-old Walcott, however, appeared more confident.

He said: “My agent has talked to the club. I am just letting them crack on with things and I will continue playing football. If it happens, it happens. We will just play the waiting game and see what happens but I am sure it won’t be long.”

Walcott has looked impressive during pre-season and said prior to the games taking place at the Emirates this weekend that his contract situation wouldn't become a distraction.

“I won’t let that delay affect the way I am playing,” he said. “I can’t let that affect me. The squad is one of the best I have been involved in. I want to be part of that. We’ve got to keep this group of players together. Successful teams stay together for a long time and this team can be very successful. We have won two FA Cups now. The next big step is to be challenging for the Premier League.”

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