Chelsea step up interest in Arsenal star Walcott

Arsenal could lose Theo Walcott in January with Chelsea emerging as favourite to swoop on the England forward ahead of Liverpool and the two Manchester clubs.

The Sun claimed in an exclusive on Friday that Chelsea have sent a scout to watch Walcott and plan to use him as a more central attacker, the main reason for his refusal to sign a new contract at the Emirates.

Arsenal will be playing at Reading on Monday while Chelsea will take on Corinithians in the Club World Cup final in Yokohama, Japan a day earlier.

Blues boss Rafa Benitez is confident of getting his man as the £15million-rated winger and rates Walcott’s lightning pace as a huge asset as he looks to land a player to support Fernando Torres.

Walcott is seen as a perfect replacement for Daniel Sturridge who has set his sights on move to Anfield with the London Evening Standard reporting last week that Liverpool have begun talks with Chelsea over a £15million transfer.

Sturridge has started just two games for Chelsea this season due to a ­persistent hamstring injury but has conceded he will never be given a chance to be first-choice striker.

Atletico Madrid star Radamel Falcao is their main target during the January window, Chelsea still want another front man because of Sturridge’s expected departure.

Chelsea are still backing Torres, who has scored five goals in his last three matches, but are willing to pay Falcao’s £48m release clause.

Walcott has yet to agree terms on a new deal at Arsenal, despite his contract expiring at the end of the season.

Manager Arsene Wenger insists he is prepared to let Walcott leave on a free transfer in the summer, rather than cash in on him mid-season, but Chelsea are prepared to offer £15m in a bid to change his mind.

Although the 23-year-old is also wanted by Liverpool and Manchester United, he may prefer a switch to Stamford Bridge as it means he will get to stay in London.

Walcott is likely to try to wait until the summer before moving. As a free agent he could command a signing-on fee of around £3m plus £90,000-a-week wages, The Sun report added.

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