Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhütl has revealed that the club are very much interested in the idea of securing a permanent transfer for on-loan winger Theo Walcott and that they would love him to extend his stay beyond the expiration of his current deal.
The winger’s current contract at Everton will run out at the end of this current season and that will see him end up becoming a free agent, making him very much available to negotiate with Southampton in a bid to sign a fresh contract at the club.
Hasenhütl was asked if it is in his plans to retain Walcott beyond this season, and the manager said that he can confirm that the club are currently locked in contract negotiations with the player and his agent in a bid to secure his future at the club.
The manager also said that Walcott is not the only player they’re currently in negotiations with, and said he is pretty sure that the Saints will do everything possible to assemble a group of players next season that will have a strong mentality to produce better performances than they have this season.
Walcott was a star performer as Southampton secured a 3-2 comeback win against Burnley after initially going 2-0 down. About his performance in that game, in which he provided an assist, Hasenhütl said he’s impressed with the winger and will be happy to have him remain at the club.
