Walcott given 48 hours to decide Arsenal future

Manchester City are poised to make a £12 million swoop for unhappy Arsenal star Theo Walcott, according to reports in the British press.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has given Theo Walcott the next 48 hours to decide whether he wants to sign a new five-year contract worth £75,000 per week — or be sold.

City boss Roberto Mancini has targeted the England flier after Swansea blocked his bid for Scott Sinclair, according to The Sun.

Walcott, 23, is in the final year of his contract and has been linked with a move to Liverpool.

The star’s advisers opened talks with Arsenal last Friday with a £70,000-a-week deal believed to be on the table, The Mirror reported.

But it is understood the club have now made Walcott a final offer of a five-year contract worth £75,000-a-week.

If Walcott turns down the contract offer, Arsenal have a familiar choice to make — sell him now or risk losing him on a free transfer next summer.

If he goes, academy prospect Serge Gnabry, 17, will be fast-tracked into the senior squad, according to the Daily Mail.

Walcott, who has scored 26 goals in 151 League appearances for the Gunners, was on the bench for Sunday’s 0-0 draw at Stoke.

Meanwhile, Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis has held meetings with chief scout Steve Rowley to target reinforcements.

The capture of a versatile defender and defensive midfielder are priorities.

Montpellier captain Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa and Swansea’s Angel Rangel are defensive options, with Yann M’Vila (Rennes) and Etienne Capoue (Toulouse) on the midfield list.

Meanwhile, Nicklas Bendtner is in talks over a £5m move to AC Milan.

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