Walcott can match Rooney's rise - agent

Teenage prodigy Theo Walcott has the potential to be the next Wayne Rooney - according to the Southampton striker’s agent.

A host of leading Premiership clubs – including Arsenal and Chelsea - are believed to be in the queue to land the 16-year-old.

The south coast Coca-Cola Championship club confirmed on Tuesday they have received offers from two “top Premiership clubs” and are expecting more to follow.

And Walcott’s agent, Warwick Horton, has not been surprised by the interest shown in his client, who has been compared to peerless Arsenal striker Thierry Henry.

“He has the potential to be as successful as Wayne Rooney although he has been likened more to Thierry Henry because of his style and pace,” he said.

“He is an ambitious lad and wants to train and play with the best players he can to try to take his career to the next level.”

Horton admits the constant speculation has affected Walcott, adding on the club’s official website, www.saintsfc.co.uk: “It has been an unsettling time for Theo.

“He loves Southampton as a club and has been surprised by the interest although he rarely reads the papers or pays much interest to speculation.”