The 18-year-old striker, who has scored three goals this season, has been used sparingly by Gunners boss Arsene Wenger this season and the Coca-Cola Championship side are hoping the lure of first-team football will see the England international move to the Britannia Stadium.

Chairman Peter Coates confirmed Stoke's interest in Walcott but conceded the chances of him dropping down a division are slim.

"We will enquire but I guess he'll want to stay in the Premier League," Coates told BBC Radio Stoke.

* DERBY manager Paul Jewell has slammed the "embarrassing" impasse which has left goalkeeper Roy Carroll kicking his heels.'The Rams today prematurely confirmed Carroll had signed for the club, initially on a short-term deal until the end of the season. But the move is on hold as Rangers boss Walter Smith has yet to sign another goalkeeper to cover for the loss of Carroll.

Striker Luis Fabiano wants to remain at Sevilla for at least the rest of the season despite reports of a possible transfer window move to MANCHESTER CITY.

POMPEY manager Harry Redknapp is (still!) poised to sign former Liverpool and Aston Villa striker Milan Baros on loan from French champions Lyon.

WIGAN manager Steve Bruce is keeping tabs on highly-rated young Motherwell striker Ross McCormack.

Argentinian giants River Plate hope to sign LIVERPOOL midfielder Sebastian Leto.

Manchester City striker Rolando Bianchi has joined LAZIO on a loan until the end of the season with a view to a permanent move.

Lyon target Ederson has pledged his short-term future to NICE but refused to rule out a move to the French champions in the summer.

PSV Eindhoven have issued a hands-off warning over striker Danny Koevermans following interest from ESPANYOL.

MONACO have completed the loan signing of midfielder Sergio Bernardo Almiron from Italian giants Juventus.

Former Newcastle defender Jean-Alain Boumsong is expected to leave Juventus for French champions LYON today in a deal worth around three million euros (£2.2m).

Former Paris St Germain playmaker Marcelo Gallardo claims he is to join Major League Soccer side DC UNITED

Derek Riordan's agent claims the Celtic striker is interested in discussing a permanent move to BURNLEY.

Gillingham chairman Paul Scally has confirmed teenager Luke Freeman is on the verge of completing a move to ARSENAL.

Lars Nilsson is ready to leave ST ETIENNE after becoming disenchanted with life at the Rhone-Alps club.

PLYMOUTH have signed Hungarian midfielder Gyorgy Sandor from Ujpest FC until the end of the season and Exeter's 14-goal top scorer Jamie Mackie for £145,000.

South Korea's Choi Sung-kuk has given up on joining SHEFFIELD UNITED.

Returning striker Daniel Nardiello has spoken of his regret at leaving BARNSLEY for QPR last summer. The 25-year-old striker has returned to Oakwell on loan until the end of the season after failing to make a big impression in London.

IPSWICH manager Jim Magilton has refused to give up his pursuit for PLYMOUTH midfielder David Norris and insists that the transfer "could still happen".

WEST BROM have confirmed they will not be extending Shelton Martis' loan spell at SCUNTHORPE for another month.

LEEDS have taken former BARNSLEY defender Dominik Werling, Trinidadian striker Cornell Glen and Latvian defender Oskars Klava on trial at Elland Road.

Meanwhile, WALSALL manager Richard Money has revealed that COVENTRY have agreed to pay "in excess" of £350,000 for young full-back Dan Fox and NORTHAMPTON boss Stuart Gray is hopeful of signing former WOLVES defender Gabor Gyepes until the end of the season.

PORT VALE manager Lee Sinnott has made five players available for loan or permanent transfer.

Valiants boss Sinnott revealed Shane Tudor, Mark McGregor, Charlie O'Loughlin, Paul Edwards and Jason Talbot were listed in a circular sent out to clubs.

BLACKPOOL have signed SHEFFIELD UNITED goalkeeper Paul Gerrard on loan until the end of the season.

WATFORD have completed the signing of Birmingham defender Mathew Sadler on a three-and-a-half year deal for an initial fee of £750,000.