Chelsea Transfer Rumor: Blues Targeting Arsenal Winger Theo Walcott with £25M Offer

English Premier League heavyweights Chelsea have a number of potential transfers whom the Blues' boss Andre Villas-Boas would like to bring on, either during the January transfer window or next summer, on their radar.

Most recently, the club has been linked to league rival Arsenal's English winger, Theo Walcott, who has less than 18 months left on his current contract.

According to reports, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is ready to spend as much as £25 million for the player. Villas-Boas is believed to be happy with the potential move, stating that Walcott would bring a lot of depth to the club's options on the right flank and could link up with Spaniard Juan Mata, who has impressed on the opposite flank since his arrival from Valencia.

A former Southampton player, Walcott is now in his sixth season with the Gunners and has evolved into an effective attacking option for Gunners boss Arsene Wenger. The 22-year-old has become a crucial component of the club's plays in the attacking third of the pitch and a handy goal scorer.

Arsenal, however, will be on high alert. They simply cannot afford to lose another important member of the team, especially after losing Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona and Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy to Manchester City. Nevertheless, the harsh reality is that more important players could well be on their way out, if the current trophy drought continues.

Walcott scored 13 times last season and made 9 assists. This season however, Arsenal's performance has been less than pristine. If the team's current form continues, a number of key players could decide to move on.

Earlier in the season, Arsenal's captain and striker Robin van Persie was also linked with a move to Chelsea.

The Blues, right now, are believed to be looking to replace their forward line, with Didier Drogba, Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka all linked with moves away from Stamford Bridge, according to a Caughtoffside report.

Theo Walcott has made 125 appearances for Arsenal and scored 20 times, since his arrival in 2006.