Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino has confirmed that the Saints are interested in signing Theo Walcott although he admits it won’t be easy.

Following Southampton’s 1-0 win over Fulham in the FA Cup on Saturday, Pellegrino appeared to confirm that the Saints are indeed trying to sign Theo.

However, the 46-year-old acknowledged that, in the current market, these deals are often easier said than done.

“I have been talking about him,” said Pellegrino.

“He is a good player, but I don’t know with the negotiations, with the market.

“I imagine that this type of player would have a lot of possibility. For us it’s not easy.

“Hopefully we can bring somebody that can help us be stronger. This is our target now. We know the market is difficult, but we are working on that.”

According to the Daily Mail, Arsenal are demanding ‘more than’ £25m for the 28-year-old – a sum Southampton are reluctant to pay.

What’s more, the forward, who came through the Saints’ academy, allegedly earns £110k-per-week in wages.

theo walcott bate borisov
Arsenal’s forward from England Theo Walcott celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Europa League Group H football match between FC BATE Borisov and Arsenal FC in Borisov, outside Minsk, on September 28, 2017. (MAXIM MALINOVSKY/AFP/Getty Images)

Although Southampton have £75m in their pocket after selling centre-back Virgil van Dijk to Liverpool, this is still a pretty big ask. Especially seeing as he only has 18 months left on his current contract with Arsenal.

However, they desperately need another attacking player – their victory over Fulham was their first in 10 matches.

Theo has struggled for Premier League starts this season. In fact, he’s yet to make one and has only been brought on as a sub in the competition five times.

During the eight starts he’s made in the League Cup and Europa League, he’s scored three goals and provided five assists, which isn’t bad at all.

At a club like Southampton, he could get regular first team football and excel.

If he moves in January, that gives him the best chance possible of getting picked for England’s World Cup squad in the summer.

Theo’s not played for his country since November 2016 .

Arsene Wenger claims he wants to keep him. and while it was reported that Walcott wanted a Serie A adventure, his agent told us exclusively that the comments attributed to him are a load of nonsense.