adminLONDON. — Jack Wilshere is torn over his future, giving Manchester City hope they can clinch a £40million deal. Wilshere loves playing for Arsenal and Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is fuming at City’s pursuit of the England midfielder.
But England’s two-goal hero in Slovenia last Sunday is understood to be concerned at how many matches he’ll start for Arsenal next season.
That’s because of the midfield competition at the Emirates, which will be increased if Arsenal land William Carvalho from Sporting Lisbon.
Carvalho (23) has a £37 million release clause in his contract and his arrival would also threaten the Arsenal future of Francis Coquelin (24).
But Arsenal are reportedly set to offer Wilshere a massive five-year contract to ward off Manchester City.
The 23-year-old has emerged as a target for City as they look to increase their quota of home-grown players ahead of next season.
And although Wilshere is keen to remain at the Emirates, he is growing increasingly concerned about the number of first-team opportunities he will get next season. Arsenal, though, want to retain the midfielder, and are reportedly willing to offer him in excess of £100 000-a-week in order to do so.
Wilshere, meanwhile, is also believed to have sounded out England team-mates about living in the Manchester area. And City are starting to think he’s a more viable target than Juventus and France midfielder Paul Pogba (22), who is wanted by Real Madrid and Barcelona. City need to increase their quota of home-grown players.
So Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling, 20, remains a strong target, although they will also continue to purse Wolfsburg’s Belgian star Kevin De Bruyne, 23.
If Wilshere arrives at the Etihad, either Fernandinho (30) or Fernando (27) could be sold.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are increasingly confident of completing a £11 million deal for Chelsea keeper Petr Cech (33).
Former Arsenal star Lauren has hinted that the Gunners have completed the signing of Cech.
Cech, who spent the majority of the 2014-15 season playing second fiddle to Thibaut Courtois, is understood to be the north Londoner’s number one transfer target. The Gunners have been in negotiations to sign the veteran stopper, who joined Chelsea in the summer of 2004, for the last few weeks.
But according to Lauren, who made 242 appearances Arsene Wenger’s side, a deal has already been agreed.
In a cryptic tweet, the Cameroonian congratulated Cech on his move to the Emirates and hailed his former club for securing the signature of the Czech international. — The Daily Star.
Online Reporter