Arsene Wenger has dropped a major hint that he is willing to let Theo Walcott go into the final six months of his contract.
Wenger confirmed negotiations are ongoing with Walcott who has one year left on his current £90,000-a-week deal.
That has alerted Liverpool but Wenger insists they will not be panicked into selling the 26-year-old England international this summer.
Gunners boss Wenger said: “We are already talking to him. Today I’m not in that kind of mode of thinking because I just think I want him to stay.
“When you go into negotiations with a player it is with a desire for him to stay. He looks keen to do it and I am keen to do it, so let’s see what comes out.
“The press is always focusing on what you do in case of failure. We are always in the mode where we want to be successful. In case of failure, we’ll see but in case of failure - that will only be in December next year.”
Wenger also said that he has spoken to on-loan Carl Jenkinson this week but hinted he may be farmed out again for another season. West Ham are keen on signing him.
Wenger says Aaron Ramsey has a “50-50 chance” of being fit for Monday’s game with Swansea but Danny Welbeck is definitely out.
But Wenger is confident both players will play again this season with Welbeck’s knee injury a cause of concern ahead of the FA Cup final.
Wenger added: “He (Welbeck) will play again this season. He had all the scans and medical checks, and there was nothing major, just an inflammation.
“For the weekend he will be certainly short but for the game after he should be alright. Ramsey will play again this season.”
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