Jack Wilshere made his first Premier League appearance for 14 months against Everton on Sunday, but the Daily Star claims the Arsenal playmaker’s time at the Emirates could be drawing to a close.
According to the paper, Chelsea and Manchester City “will move for Wilshere if he fails to sign a new Arsenal deal” after being impressed by the player's performances in the few outings he’s had this season.
Before playing his part in the 5-2 thrashing of the Toffees, the 25-year-old midfielder had been restricted to cameo roles in the League Cup and Europa League, leading Chelsea and City to believe they might be able to prise him from north London in the New Year.
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Wilshere’s contract expires at the end of this season and Arsenal risk losing him on a free transfer if he does not pen a new deal. Alternatively, the Gunners could cash in on him in January, something the Star says might be a possibility with the Sky Blues and Chelsea “monitoring the situation”.
Both City manager Pep Guardiola and his Chelsea counterpart Antonio Conte are in need of British players in order to meet Uefa rules on home-grown players. In Wilshere, they would have a midfielder who is showing faint signs of rediscovering his form.
Then again, would Wilshere want to move to a club where his chances of regular game time would be as limited as they have become at Arsenal?
He is known to be desperate to win a place in England’s squad for next year's World Cup. If he can’t force his way back into the Gunners’ line-up, his best option might be a January move to a club such as West Ham or Newcastle - both of whom he has been been linked with - in order to impress Three Lions coach Gareth Southgate.
