Everton consider move for Arsenal's Theo Walcott as Sam Allardyce searches for Premier League stars

Everton have contacted Arsenal over forgotten forward Theo Walcott ahead of the January transfer window, as new manager Sam Allardyce sets about shaping a talented but lop-sided squad at Goodison Park.

Walcott has scored over 100 goals for the Gunners since joining in 2006, but has found league action hard to come by so far this season. The versatile forward has made just three substitute appearances in the Premier League this season, with the bulk of his gametime coming in the Europa League.

Everton spent close to £150m ($201m) in the summer on a host of new recruits, but are likely to be busy in January with Allardyce keen to bolster his ranks with proven Premier League talent, according to the Daily Mail.

Walcott has shown he is capable of performing in England's top-flight and would provide the troubled Toffees, who have dampened relegation fears with two wins over West Ham United and Huddersfield Town, with a much-needed injection of pace heading into the second half of the campaign.

Everton would not have any problem paying Walcott's £110,000-a-week wages and may be able to snaffle the 47-time England international from Arsenal for a discounted price given his lack of minutes and contract situation. The former Southampton star's current deal at The Emirates Stadium expires at the end of next season.

Allardyce is said to be a keen admirer of Walcott, who was included in the Everton manager's only England squad last year. The former West Ham and Bolton Wanderers boss confirmed that signing a new striker is a priority for the Merseysiders during the January window, and the Arsenal misfit would go some way to filling the void left by Romelu Lukaku, though Everton are expected to finally replace the Belgian with a specialist centre-forward.

Walcott, who will likely start Arsenal's final Europa League group stage clash against BATE Borisov on Thursday (7 December), is certainly not the only player on Everton's post-Christmas wishlist. Full-backs Baba Rahman and Daniel Opare have both been linked with moves to Merseyside, with the latter also being monitored by West Ham, Stoke City and Swansea City.