By SHAUN CUSTIS
ARSENAL are ready to offer Liverpool Theo Walcott plus £8million for superkid Raheem Sterling.
The Gunners’ contract talks with Walcott have stalled.
And boss Arsene Wenger said: “It’s always important to keep your best players but if selling Walcott should happen, we’ll replace him with someone, another big name.”
The shock swap deal follows months of negotiations between Arsenal and the 23-year-old England winger.
Arsenal have been unwilling to meet Walcott’s wage demands — believed to be £90,000 a week.
They have so far come up around £10,000 a week short, while Walcott also wants to know whether Wenger plans to play him as a central striker.
Walcott is in the last eight months of his contract and will be free to talk to other clubs from January 1.
Meanwhile, 17-year-old Sterling has just over 18 months to go on his Anfield deal and is in talks about a new one.
Kop boss Brendan Rodgers is an admirer of Walcott but does not want to lose Sterling.
He became one of England’s youngest players when he won his first cap in Sweden this week.
Arsenal fans are now braced for another exit.
Wenger added: “Yes, fans are fed up. You think I’m not fed up?
“I want our best players to stay. I have discussions every day with Theo but not every day about his contract.”
