Walcott close to new Arsenal deal as Wenger courts Cavani

Manager Arsene Wenger revealed Theo Walcott’s protracted contract saga could finally come to an end this weekend — but is prepared to go to the wire in his quest to land new talent over the course of the January transfer window.

Walcott, 23, could have walked away from Arsenal at the end of the season as a free agent, but is now all set to close out terms on a lucrative extension which would make the England forward among the highest-paid players at the club with a three-and-half-year contract worth around £100,000-a-week, boosted by lucrative add-ons.

Sorting out the future of the player Wenger helped develop from a raw talent when bringing him from Southampton seven years ago was top of the Arsenal manager’s to do list this month.