Walcott will have 12 months remaining on his contract at the end of the season

Chelsea are monitoring Theo Walcott’s contract situation at Arsenal and may make a move to sign him if he becomes available in the summer. The England forward will have a year remaining on his contract at the end of the season, but has yet to be offered a new deal by Arsenal.

Chelsea were interested in Walcott when he entered the final 12 months of his previous contract three years ago, before he eventually signed a new deal at the Emirates Stadium, and he retains admirers at Stamford Bridge.

The west London club are acutely conscious of their need to increase the number of home-grown players in their first team after the departures of Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole in recent years and signing Walcott