Arsenal transfer news: Jack Wilshere impresses Chelsea and Man City
Out-of-contract England midfielder could soon be leaving the Emirates
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.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
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.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The sticky issue of honey fraud
In the Spotlight Supermarket shelves are flooded with fake nectars laced with cheap sugar syrups
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Jumeirah Burj Al Arab: Dubai's outrageous peak of luxury
The Week Recommends The Grande Dame of the city's sea and skyline still towers above competitors in race for best hotels in the world
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Tempting Christmas hampers for foodies
The Week Recommends These indulgent hampers are generously filled with tasty treats
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
The Premier League's spending cap: levelling the playing field?
Talking Point Top clubs oppose plans to link spending to income of lowest-earning club, but rule could prevent success gap from widening
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is a new English football regulator an own goal for the game?
Talking Point PM hails 'historic moment for football fans' but West Ham owner warns it could 'ruin' Premier League
By The Week UK Published
-
English football and the etiquette of leaving the stadium early
Talking Point The belief that 'true fans stay to the end' does not always apply
By The Week UK Published
-
2023-2024 Premier League predictions: champions, relegation and golden boot
feature A look at the top flight talking points and pundit picks for the new season
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man City: can ‘one of the best sides in history’ win the treble?
feature Guardiola’s Premier League champions have two more trophies in their sights
By The Week Staff Published
-
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictions
feature What the pundits say about tonight’s title race showdown at the Etihad
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Antonio Conte leaves Tottenham after ‘extraordinary’ rant at players
feature After another year without a trophy, Spurs are now searching for a new manager
By The Week Staff Published
-
Liverpool 7 Man Utd 0: ‘welcome to Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool 2.0’
feature Anfield’s ‘new front three’ were on fire in the humbling of their bitter rivals
By Mike Starling Published