Arsenal star Danny Welbeck set for Everton as Toffees beat West Ham to striker
The England striker is out of contract at the Emirates this summer and is available for free
EVERTON look set to sign Arsenal's Danny Welbeck this summer.
It is understood the Toffees will beat West Ham to the striker's signature.
According to the , Everton will even increase his £100,000-a-week wages as long as he passes a medical following his troubled past with injuries.
They are able to offer more wages because they will not be paying a transfer fee.
Welbeck's contract at the Emirates runs out this summer meaning he will be released following the Europa League final against Chelsea.
And the striker, 28, could make one final appearance for the Gunners in Wednesday's clash, despite not playing since November.
He broke his ankle in the group stages against Sporting and was not expected to play again this season.
But after making a good return to fitness and netting a hat-trick in a friendly this week, boss Unai Emery could turn to him if Arsenal need a goal.
Welbeck managed five goals in 16 appearances this season, but his finish against West Ham on August 25 was his only Premier League strike.
PULLED THE PLUG
He decided, though, to leave the club at the end of the season, pulling the plug on talks with Arsenal over an extension last summer.
The Gunners' head of football Raul Sanllehi said: "We were in talks with him, he had several offers, he decided to continue in the club until the end of the contract.
"We respected that. We knew he was going to add a lot to the club over the last year, but again we were in the last year of contract, so it was a similar situation [to Aaron Ramsey]."
Arsenal have now vowed not to let players enter the final 24 months of their contracts to prevent similar situations arising in the future.
Welbeck is believed to want to stay in England with Newcastle, Crystal Palace and Wolves also thought to be interested in taking him due to his top-flight experience.
But it appears to be Everton who are at the front of the queue for his signature.
One major factor in the Merseysiders winning the race is Theo Walcott.
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Welbeck and Walcott have been team-mates for club and country since 2011 and the former Manchester United forward appears keen to be reunited.
And a good run of form next season with plenty of goals could see Welbeck make a surprise return to the England set-up - in time for Euro 2020.
He was involved in the World Cup squad last summer - playing in the 1-0 group-stage defeat to Belgium - and has a good record with 16 goals in 42 caps.
