ARSENAL are set to hijack Chelsea and Liverpool’s scrap for Victor Moses – if contract rebel Theo Walcott refuses to commit to them long term.
Wigan playmaker Moses, 21, is one of the Premier League’s hottest properties, following a brilliant last campaign when he was central to his team’s miraculous survival.
New Anfield boss Brendan Rodgers has earmarked the Nigeria international as one of his top summer targets, while Moses’ agent says he would prefer a move to Chelsea. But Wigan have resisted all bids for the player – who is out of contract next summer – and owner Dave Whelan has slapped a £12million price-tag on his head.
Now Arsene Wenger is ready to emerge as a rival in the race as doubts about Walcott’s future grow. The England winger, 23, is unhappy with the offer of a new four-year deal, worth £70,000-a-week. He wants nearer £100,000.
That stalemate is still to be resolved and – with only 12 months left on Walcott’s existing deal – Wenger has told the Gunners board to off-load him for anything around £15m. One man right behind Wenger’s tough stance is former Arsenal midfielder Stewart Robson.
Now a presenter on ArsenalTV.com, Robson rapped: “I said it a few weeks ago before the Euros and got slaughtered for it – but if Walcott won’t sign, then the club should sell him now. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is a much better player. Walcott is not worth the sort of money he is after.”