Bournemouth join Everton and Southampton in race for Arsenal star Theo Walcott

BOURNEMOUTH have joined Everton and neighbours Southampton in the race to sign Arsenal outcast Theo Walcott.

The Cherries have approached Arsenal about taking England international Walcott, 28, on loan for the rest of the season.

Walcott is keen to escape from the Emirates after failing to start a Premier League game the season.

Everton are front-runners to sign the ex-Southampton academy ace as boss Sam Allardyce is willing to pay £20m for a permanent deal.

Allardyce was hopeful of pushing through a deal for the forward who has no future in North London following the signing of Cenk Tosun.

But Walcott, who came on as a late substitute in Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat at Bournemouth on Sunday, could be tempted by a return to the south coast where his in-laws still live.

Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe wants to bolster his side’s attacking power after seeing Jermain Defoe ruled out for up to three months by a knee injury.

Southampton are also desperate for January reinforcements to haul themselves away from the Premier League relegation zone.

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Walcott, who earns £110,000-a-week, began his career at St Mary’s before joining Arsenal as a 16-year-old.

The winger has no interest in moving abroad this month and still has ambitions of forcing his way back into the England reckoning.