Theo walcott - 16 yr old right winger
Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2005 9:24 amArsenal and Liverpool's interest in Southampton starlet Theo Walcott has been confirmed.
The two Premiership giants are reported to be heading the chase for the 16-year-old, while Chelsea and Manchester United are also said to be interested.
Right winger Walcott, who made the breakthrough into the Saints' first team this season, is already being heralded as one of the most talented players for his age anywhere in Europe.
Now the England youth international's agent, Warwick Horton, has confirmed that both Arsenal and Liverpool have expressed an interest in Walcott.
"There is truth in the story that Arsenal and Liverpool are very keen on Theo," revealed Horton.
"But for the moment he is a 16-year-old lad who's quite happy at Southampton.
"He's had seven first team opportunities coming off the bench this season which is more than he would have thought at this stage."
"He would probably not have had as many if the club was still in The Premiership, so in the short-term playing for Southampton is not a problem to him."
Horton admitted that the lure of The Premiership is a huge one for his young charge.
"He's an ambitious lad and wants to play in The Premiership and at some point that will be with Southampton or someone else," he told the Southampton Daily Echo.
"If the club are promoted he would be delighted to play for them next year and hopefully that will be the case.
"But if one of the big clubs was to come in with a substantial amount of money and Southampton decide to let him go he would be very flattered to speak to clubs like Arsenal and Liverpool."
The two Premiership giants are reported to be heading the chase for the 16-year-old, while Chelsea and Manchester United are also said to be interested.
Right winger Walcott, who made the breakthrough into the Saints' first team this season, is already being heralded as one of the most talented players for his age anywhere in Europe.
Now the England youth international's agent, Warwick Horton, has confirmed that both Arsenal and Liverpool have expressed an interest in Walcott.
"There is truth in the story that Arsenal and Liverpool are very keen on Theo," revealed Horton.
"But for the moment he is a 16-year-old lad who's quite happy at Southampton.
"He's had seven first team opportunities coming off the bench this season which is more than he would have thought at this stage."
"He would probably not have had as many if the club was still in The Premiership, so in the short-term playing for Southampton is not a problem to him."
Horton admitted that the lure of The Premiership is a huge one for his young charge.
"He's an ambitious lad and wants to play in The Premiership and at some point that will be with Southampton or someone else," he told the Southampton Daily Echo.
"If the club are promoted he would be delighted to play for them next year and hopefully that will be the case.
"But if one of the big clubs was to come in with a substantial amount of money and Southampton decide to let him go he would be very flattered to speak to clubs like Arsenal and Liverpool."
