Theo Walcott could be on his way out of Everton this summer as reports suggest the Toffees are looking to offload him. Many fans are happy at the prospect of cashing in the 31-year-old due to his inconsistency at Goodison Park, but Everton may struggle to find a suitor.
Walcott joined the Blues from Arsenal for £20m in 2018 and has gone on to make 79 appearances in all competitions, scoring 10 goals and making eight assists. The England international told Sky Sports in 2018 that he fell out of love with football at Arsenal, but he’s failed to live up to his billing on Merseyside so it’s hard to see many clubs lining up to sign him.
Poor form
In 2017/18, Walcott contributed six goals in 14 games – 0.42 per appearance. In 2018/19, he contributed eight goals in 40 games – 0.2. In 2019/20, he has so far contributed four goals in 26 games – 0.15.
The 31-year-old’s goals & assists-per-game ratio has fallen every season he’s been at Everton and his in-game performances are leaving a lot to be desired too – only eight accurate crosses, 13 successful dribbles and a 3.5% shot conversion ratio in 21 league outings this season, as per WhoScored.
Asking price and wage demands
Everton paid £20m for Walcott two years ago but don’t stand a chance of getting that money back now – his Transfermarkt value was £13.5m in December 2019 and CIES Football Observatory rate him around €7m-€10m (£6.2m-£8.8m) now.
Walcott has a contract worth £5.2m-a-year/£100k-per-week – the same as Sadio Mane at Liverpool – so clubs aren’t going to take such an expensive gamble on an underperforming player.
Advancing age
Walcott has been declining every season at Everton, his asking price is falling and he’s not getting any younger. The 31-year-old is in the eve of his career and may soon be signing his last contract at a club.
There’s little resale value for a suitor and plenty of reasons why he wouldn’t be a good investment. Why would any Premier League outfit plump for the expensive, ageing and ineffective winger with only one goal since May 2019?