Everton open Arsenal negotiations over Theo Walcott deal, Sam Allardyce confirms

Everton manager Sam Allardyce has confirmed the Toffees’ interest in Arsenal forward Theo Walcott.

The 28-year-old is also a target for former club Southampton, whom he left in 2006 to join the north Londoners, though his £120,000-a-week wages could be a stumbling block.

Everton, though, face no such financial barrier. Speaking at the club’s AGM this week owner Farhad Moshiri said on his watch ‘financial issues are irrelevant’.

Allardyce, who called Walcott up to his one and only England squad and used him off the bench in his solitary game in charge of the Three Lions, confirmed negotiations are underway over a deal for the forward.

"If that's at all possible that would be nice," he told reporters. "It's not imminent but negotiations are going on and we're hoping to negotiate a permanent deal.

"I don't get optimistic otherwise I get disappointed. I'll be very excited and enthused when someone, even if it's not Theo has signed on the dotted line."