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Arsenal noting Jaaskelainen situation
11:54 December, 27, 2005
Bolton Wanderers Football Club admit they are prepared to sell Jussi Jaaskelainen.

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The Finnish goalkeeper may well be a key member of the Trotters side, yet as he stalls on a new contract, manager Sam Allardyce has told the clubs’ website he may have to cash in on the 30-year-old.

"It is true we have not resolved our contract negotiations with Jussi," Allardyce said. "The situation is one that looks like it might not be resolved from a legal point of view.

“At the moment, he doesn't want to sign, and we don't believe that we should give him something different to what other players have signed here.

"Jussi is a valuable asset and if he isn't going to sign his contract, then the club may wish to cash in at some stage. That could be in January or at the end of the season if we have not resolved the situation."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is keen to land a top-class number one due to the failings of Jens Lehmann and Manuel Almunia, and is known to admire Jaaskelainen.

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Arsenal set to sign Walcott

Arsenal are close to completing their swoop for Southampton's highly-rated youngster Theo Walcott.

Walcott has chosen Arsenal over Chelsea and BBC Sport understands the clubs are now working on the small print of a £12.5m deal.

Lawyers from both clubs are believed to be working on the contracts and Walcott could travel to Highbury for a medical on Thursday.

If Walcott, 16, passes his medical, his moved could be completed on Friday.

Walcott cannot technically sign a professional contract with Gunners until his 17th birthday on 16 March.

Walcott is an exciting prospect but paying so much is risky

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As Southampton are a plc, they are obliged to inform the Stock Exchange when the deal has been completed.

BBC Sport also understands that once Walcott's transfer is complete, it is unlikely he will be loaned back to Southampton for the rest of the season.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is concerned the 16-year-old would play too many games for Saints in the Championship.

But with Southampton's play-off hopes fading, boss George Burley is believed to favour making a clean break and not including Walcott in his re-building plans.

Walcott and his family have decided he can best achieve his potential at Arsenal, despite Chelsea being prepared to outbid the Gunners for the precocious teenager.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is a big admirer and let slip at the weekend that a deal was almost done.

Referring to new arrivals Emmanuel Abedayor and Abo Diaby, he said Arsenal had signed "three players" but then changed that to "two-and-a-half".

Asked if he was referring to Walcott, the Arsenal manager said: "I would like to tell you."

BBC Sport revealed on Friday that Arsenal would be coming in with a big bid for Walcott, prompting Wenger to admit later that day that he was an admirer of the teenager's precocious talent.