London, May 8 (IANS): English football club Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insists he will not consider selling forward Theo Walcott until January, even if he cannot agree a new contract this summer.

The England international is entering the final year of his contract, and Wenger says talks over an extension have started, reports dailymail.co.uk.

It has been mooted that the Gunners will look to sell Walcott this summer to avoid losing him for nothing in 2016.

Walcott can begin negotiating with overseas clubs about a potential move from January. And Wenger insists only then will Arsenal look to sell Walcott.

"I want him to stay, when you go into negotiations with a player it is with a desire for him to stay. He looks keen to do it and I am keen to do it, so let’s see what comes out," Wenger said on Thursday.

"The focus is on what you do in case of failure. We are always in the mode where we want to be successful. In case of failure, we’ll see but in case of failure -- that will only be in December."