Arsenal are reportedly set to hand Jack Wilshere a new four-year contract, with his current deal set to expire next summer
According to a report in The Sun, Arsenal are ready to offer Jack Wilshere a new deal that will see him remain at the club till the summer of 2022. The English midfielder will be out of contract next summer, but Arsene Wenger has held talks with him to assure him that he has a future at the Emirates.
Wilshere progressed through the ranks at Arsenal before making his first-team debut at the nascent age of 16 in 2008 to become the youngest ever Premier League debutant for the club. Since then though, his progress has been constantly hindered due to a spate of long-term injuries.
The fitness troubles have kept the player out of action for two full seasons, while hampering his involvement to a great extent in other campaigns as well, restricting him to a mere 163 appearances since his debut.
However, the 2016-17 season saw Wilshere resurrect his stuttering career, albeit at Bournemout as he completed a season-long loan at the Vitality Stadium largely injury-free. And while he couldn’t find the back of the net for the Cherries, he was a highly instrumental figure in the club’s unprecedented top half finish.
Arsenal are planning to give 25-year-old midfielder Jack Wilshere a new four-year deal. (Source: Sunday People) pic.twitter.com/VR2yTnpPwq
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) October 1, 2017
Following a successful campaign for Eddie Howe’s side, he has now set about reviving his Arsenal career. While he is yet to make a Premier League appearance this season, Wilshere has been eased into action through heavy involvement in cup competitions – three outings that have seen him make a lot of impression.
But while the resurgence continues on the field, off it there are mounting concerns surrounding his future at the North London club, with widespread reports hinting that he could be depart the club on a free transfer when his contract runs out at the end of the season.
Meanwhile, several clubs across Europe have also shown interest in signing him, with the latest suitors reportedly being Crystal Palace, where Roy Hodgson is a known admirer of the player. However, Arsenal are now ready to tie Wilshere down to a new four-year contract.
The report suggests that talks are already underway between Wenger and the player, and the Arsenal boss is confident of reaching an agreement over a renewal by the end of the year. A contract renewal will be a massive boost for the club provided Wilshere manages to remain fit.
At his best, the Englishman is the biggest exponent of the free-flowing, attacking football that Wenger expects from his side, with his vision and the ability to dictate the tempo of the game. At 25, he can also be a long-term solution in midfield, and it remains to be seen if the renewal is agreed upon soon.
