Jack Wilshere is set for a loan move away from Arsenal, provided the Gunners can agree a deal before the summer transfer window closes.
Arsenal have decided oft-injured playmaker Wilshere can perform elsewhere this season. The Gunners are currently pursuing a loan deal for the 24-year-old, per the Guardian‘s Ed Aarons.
Juventus are reportedly keen on Arsenal’s No. 10, per online bookies SkyBet, via Jack Wilson of the Daily Star. Meanwhile, Turkish club Besiktas are among those already showing an interest, according to haberler.com, via talkSPORT.
If Wilshere can secure a loan it won’t be a short-term deal. BBC Sport’s David Ornstein has revealed it will be at least a season-long arrangement:
Wilshere loan 1yr no break clause if right club found. #AFC want to keep Gnabry but big #FCBayern offer may change things. No more signings
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) August 30, 2016
This marks a true crossroads in Wilshere’s Arsenal career. It shows just how much his stock has tumbled since he emerged as a breakout young star during the 2010/11 season.
Wilshere showed immense promise as a perceptive, pass-and-move maestro. He bossed the halfway line between robust destroyer Alex Song and advanced schemer Cesc Fabregas.
However, a litany of ankle injuries, along with the exits of high-profile stars such as Fabregas, have stunted Wilshere’s development.
He lacks a natural place in the current Arsenal midfield. It’s a major problem considering the ample midfield talent manager Arsene Wenger has stockpiled since Wilshere’s banner season.
Granit Xhaka was signed this summer to join January import Mohamed Elneny. They vie for playing time with tough-tackling Francis Coquelin, busy and classy Santi Cazorla, energetic Aaron Ramsey and cerebral stroller Mesut Ozil.
Wilshere isn’t likely to get the playing time he needs at a position this crowded. He’s made just two substitute appearances so far this season.
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His lack of match sharpness prompted England coach Sam Allardyce to leave the diminutive technician out of his first Three Lions squad, per Mark Ogden of the Independent: “If Jack Wilshere was playing every week for Arsenal, he would be in the squad. But unfortunately, he isn’t.
Injuries have hampered Wilshere, but he still needs to refine key areas of his game. In particular, he must move the ball quicker and make more incisive contributions in the final third.
Those skills are within his reach, but Wilshere needs to make the most of any loan to prove he can stay fit and progress on the pitch.