CONFIRMED: Everton loan Theo Walcott to Southampton

Everton winger Theo Walcott has rejoined Southampton on a season-long loan. The Athletic are reporting that the deal will see the two clubs split his rumoured-to-be £100,000 per week wages until next summer, when his contract will expire.

Walcott, 31, has featured in just two of Everton’s seven games so far this season, starting the EFL Cup win over Salford before a late substitute appearance Saturday’s Premier League victory against Brighton.

He will now spend the rest of the 2020-21 campaign with Southampton, who he made his professional debut for as 16-year-old in August 2005. With his current deal expiring at the end of this season, this pretty much means he’s played his last game for the Blues.

A move to Arsenal for £5 million followed for Walcott in January 2006, and he even received a call-up to England’s 2006 World Cup squad despite having not yet made his Gunners debut.

Walcott went on to score 108 goals in 397 games for Arsenal, as well as earn himself 47 England caps, before leaving the Emirates Stadium for Sam Allardyce’s Everton in a £20 million move in January 2018.

But he has struggled for consistency since moving to Goodison Park, finding the net only 11 times in 84 outings in royal blue, and appeared to be peripheral to Carlo Ancelotti’s plans this season.

Given Walcott’s contract at Everton expires next June, it appears safe to assume that he has played his final game for the club.

According to The Athletic, Southampton will pay roughly 50 per cent of Walcott’s wages (estimated to be in excess of £100,000 per week) during his loan spell back at the club.

Everton have already made one signing today in Norwich defender Ben Godfrey and a move for another goalkeeper or forward could still be on the cards before tonight’s 11pm deadline.