Pep Guardiola will consider bringing Jack Wilshere to Manchester City in the summer transfer window, according to his former Barcelona player Xavi.
Barcelona great Xavi thinks that his former boss Pep Guardiola could consider signing Jack Wilshere if there was an opportunity to bring him to Manchester City in the summer. The Arsenal midfielder is currently on a season-long loan at Bournemouth.
As reported by the Daily Mail, Xavi told Fox Latin America, “I know Pep has always had a lot of respect for Wilshere — he impressed so many of the Barcelona team when we played Arsenal in 2011. He impressed me a lot that night.
“I know he also did Pep, and it will be a player that he would have been following ever since. We have talked about him, it was not a performance you forget easily. Technically he is the sort of player that Pep loves — his only problem has been injuries.
“If it wasn’t for the issues he has had with injuries I am sure he would be one of the best midfield players in the world. At the moment he seems to be doing well with his fitness, and if there is a chance to sign him in the summer, I am sure Pep will give it real consideration.”
Indeed, Wilshere has largely kept injuries at bay while on loan at Bournemouth this season, and was only troubled by a fitness issue when Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City visited the Vitality Stadium to play the Cherries this week.
The loan spell with Bournemouth has helped Wilshere a lot, who has slowly been growing in confidence and showing signs of finally delivering on the promise that saw him being rated so highly as he progressed through the ranks at Arsenal.
This season, he has missed just two games since making the move to the south coast of England, and has shown signs of resurgence under Eddie Howe. And while he hasn’t hit the back of the net for his side so far, Wilshere has been at the centre of every Bournemouth attack, linking defence with the forward line superbly.
Pep Guardiola, on his part, has been very vocal about his admiration for Wilshere’s talents and has even dropped hints about a possible move for the England international. And with uncertainty surrounding his Arsenal future, speculation has been rife about a move away from the Emirates Stadium in the summer.
Wilshere has continued to attract interest from several clubs, but his deepest desire is to have his long-term future at Arsenal. However, should he be unable to find a place for himself at the North London club, it is quite possible, according to Xavi, that he could be on his way to Manchester City in the summer.
