An in-the-know gambler attempted to put on the huge stake at a Paddy Power store in London today at odds of 8/1.

Paddy Power took the bet then reacted by slashing the price into evens amid fears a deal is nigh.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger this week insisted he wants to keep hold of Theo Walcott but admitted he could leave this month.

Walcott, 28, is well down the Gunners pecking order having made just 14 appearances this season.

The winger is out of contract in June 2019 with a number of clubs, including Southampton, linked to his signature.

But Wenger is keen for him to go nowhere and said: "I want him to stay."

When asked about the Saints' interest, Wenger replied: “I heard about that but I want him to stay.”

A Paddy Power spokesman said: "We get a lot of interest in our transfer markets at this time of the year but a bet of this magnitude is pretty rare.

"We had Everton at 8/1 as all the signs were they weren't really in for Theo - but we might now be left with egg on our face.

"The £5,000 stake is one of the biggest we've taken this month. The Toffees could be about to leave us a in sticky situation."