Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insisted he wanted the unsettled Theo Walcott to stay with the Gunners during the January transfer window rather than sell the England forward.
The 23-year-old, who is out of contract at the end of the season, has yet to commit himself to a new Arsenal deal.
Wenger, asked if Arsenal would have to sell Walcott if no agreement has been reached by the start of the new year, said Thursday: ‘I would not like to. I have not even thought about that, because at the moment I think we will still manage to make a deal with him.’
The Frenchman added: ‘There is urgency (on talks). ‘We want to sort it out before Christmas, one way or the other. I have always come out publicly and said that I see him in the future through the middle as well.
The 23-year-old, who is out of contract at the end of the season, has yet to commit himself to a new Arsenal deal.
Wenger, asked if Arsenal would have to sell Walcott if no agreement has been reached by the start of the new year, said Thursday: ‘I would not like to. I have not even thought about that, because at the moment I think we will still manage to make a deal with him.’
The Frenchman added: ‘There is urgency (on talks). ‘We want to sort it out before Christmas, one way or the other. I have always come out publicly and said that I see him in the future through the middle as well.