Jack Wilshere Everton Rumours Refuse to Go Away
By Tom Power
Jack Wilshere has been tipped to join Everton once more after the Arsenal midfielder’s future at the Emirates Stadium was plunged into doubt.
Wilshere’s contract with the Gunners expires at the end of June and he is yet to put pen-to-paper on fresh terms with his current employers.
The Mirror has now reported that the 26-year-old is almost certain to depart north London after he was informed that he would be a peripheral figure in new manager Unai Emery’s plans.
And that has seen Wilshere touted as a future Toffees player following rumours of his potential arrival during Sam Allardyce’s reign.
West Ham United and newly-promoted Wolves are also believed in the hunt for the England international.
Wilshere has been offered a new £100,000-a-week deal to remain with Arsenal – a 20% pay cut to his salary due to his iffy record with injuries.
The ex-Bournemouth loanee, however, is said to be unhappy with Emery’s desire to utilise him as a squad player and not as a regular starter in his team.
Arsenal had been confident of seeing Wilshere agree to the terms of his new contract, but Emery’s discussion with the playmaker has cast doubts on his future in the capital once more.
Everton were strongly linked with Wilshere last season after Allardyce had talked up the centre midfielder as a possible transfer target.
With the arrival of Marco Silva following Allardyce’s sacking, however, it’s up for debate if the Portuguese boss wishes to bring Wilshere to Merseyside.
Wilshere’s quality in possession and as a driving force in midfield cannot be called into question, and he would be a decent coup on a free transfer if Everton elected to sign him.
His injury record and apparent unwillingness to leave London will play huge roles in the Blues making any concrete offer for him though, and it is much more likely that Wilshere will sign for someone such as West Ham.
Italian outfits Sampdoria and Juventus have also been tentatively linked with his signature but, again, Wilshere’s first choice seems to be staying in London.
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Everton would – and can – do better if bringing midfield reinforcements to Goodison Park, with Sporting’s William Carvalho still allegedly on Silva’s radar.