West Ham urged to pursue £50m deal for Arsenal strikers Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott

Arsenal strikers Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott must consider their futures at The Emirates Stadium and should contemplate moves to West Ham United, according to Nigel Winterburn. With Alexandre Lacazette having joined the Gunners for a club-record fee both players are expected to find regular first team football hard to come by, particularly if Alexis Sanchez remains beyond the end of the summer transfer window.

Goal.com reported in June that the Hammers are interested in moves for both Giroud and Walcott, neither of whom were first choice last season under Arsene Wenger. The pair managed 48 starts between them, scoring 35 goals, yet there are few guarantees over their role next season.

Giroud has also emerged as a target for Everton, who have reportedly made the France international their main target during the remainder of the summer window. The 30-year-old is valued at £20m and Winterburn believes that despite being outside the top six he could consider a move to the London Stadium.

"I think he's done a very good job and I just wonder whether Arsenal want a little bit more mobility going forward," the former Arsenal and West Ham defender told the betting website bwin. "He found himself on the bench at the end of the season and he obviously wouldn't want that to happen. It's again whether the player feels that he is going to play enough games or is it time to make the break? I think there would be a lot more offers from abroad if he did move from Arsenal.

"He might also be settled in London and if that is the case, West Ham have a good link with Arsenal and if he wanted to stay in London that could be a good opportunity for West Ham to get a very good striker. I could see it happening but you have to think whether the player believes he is capable of playing for a top-six club and West Ham are not a top-six club. It'll be a case of whether West Ham can convince the player to join them."

West Ham could yet be priced out of a move for Walcott with Arsenal valuing the forward at £30m. Slaven Bilic's side are nevertheless desperate for a new frontman and Winterburn accepts that with Wenger having adopted a new system Walcott's days in north London are numbered.

"The problem for Theo is that Arsenal switched the system at the end of last season and that system doesn't suit him, not at Arsenal anyway," he added. "Theo will think that if Arsenal are trying to limit his game time, he'll feel like 'where do I fit in? Is it time for a new challenge?' I think when players of that quality become available, it's natural to say that they would say they are interested.

"West Ham playing with two up front including [Andy] Carroll with Theo, I can see that working very well. Then you also have the option of playing him off the striker or playing right left, so you're getting a fair bit for your money. The problem for Theo at Arsenal is where do they see him playing if they stick to a back three or back five?"