adminrepresentatives — possibly in the next 24 hours — to end the contract deadlock.
Walcott (23), who will see his current deal end this season, is set to be tempted with a £90 000-a-week salary over five years, bringing him level with top earners such as Lukas Podolski.
And he will also be offered a £3m signing-on fee to take the overall package to £26,4m.
Walcott and his team held unofficial talks with Gazidis early last month. But he has not had a concrete offer since the summer when he rejected £80 000 a week.
The player, who earns £50 000 a week, has seen his bargaining power increase due to recent goal-scoring displays in the new central striking role he craves. He is also incredibly popular with the fans and is desperate to remain in north London.
Even though Chelsea and Manchester City want him, Walcott is desperate to commit his long-term future to the Emirates.
Walcott’s career with Arsenal has been in serious doubt since after a total breakdown in communication between the club and Walcott’s representatives.
But manager Arsene Wenger has been hugely impressed by Walcott’s professionalism during the contract stand-off. The forward is arguably Arsenal’s top performer this season and is the club’s top goalscorer, having hit the back of the net 14 times. And Walcott’s impressive form has forced the club into a change of stance.
As Sportsmail revealed in December, the channels of communication between Walcott and the club had reopened after peace talks between the player and Wenger aimed at finally ending the contract dispute.
Walcott made it clear to Wenger that his first choice has always been to stay at Arsenal, but admitted he was unhappy with the way he was treated during the opening weeks of the season.
The forward was left on the bench by Wenger, despite the fact he had played a regular role last season. In addition to an improved cash offer, Walcott also wanted assurances over his chances of playing as an orthodox striker on a more regular basis.
And negotiations now look to be heading in a positive direction, with Arsenal hoping to have Walcott’s signature secured sooner rather than later.
The uncertainty surrounding Walcott’s future has alerted a string of Premier League clubs. Liverpool, Chelsea and both Manchester clubs were known to be monitoring the ongoing contract saga, with Brendan Rodgers even said to be keen on launching a move this month. But it is now looking increasingly likely that Walcott will stay at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal, meanwhile, have been warned off a bid for Barcelona striker David Villa. The Gunners are expected to strengthen their squad in the transfer window, having already offloaded Moroccan misfit Marouane Chamakh on a six-month loan deal to West Ham.
Wenger is said to be keen on Spanish star Villa (31), who was a sub in the 4-0 win over Espanyol at the weekend.
But Barca president Sandro Rosell, insists Villa, signed in a £31m deal from Valencia in 2010, is going nowhere. Arsenal are also reported to be keen on Atletico Madrid frontman Adrian Lopez.
While Wenger is claimed to be looking at Anderlecht’s Argentina ace Lucas Biglia to boost his midfield options. — The Sun-Mailonline.
Online Reporter