Jack Wilshere has reportedly narrowed down his choices down to two clubs ahead of a proposed season-long loan to get his faltering Arsenal career back on track – with Bournemouth and Crystal Palace left from his original five-team shortlist and the 22 clubs linked with his signature.
The Gunners midfielder has been used primarily from the bench this season and does not look set to change in the foreseeable future with Arsene Wenger’s options in central midfield aplenty.
Sky Sports report Wilshere will announce his decision this morning on Transfer Deadline Day.
“The latest information I have is that Jack Wilshere’s five team shortlist is down to two,” said Andy Burton of Sky Sports.
“Last night we were told Wilshere was considering season-long loan deals from five clubs with three from the Premier League – Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Watford – and two from Portugal, Sporting Lisbon and Benfica.
“We understand Wilshere will be choosing between Crystal Palace and Bournemouth.
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“Wilshere had meetings with both clubs yesterday and informed them he would inform them of his decision at some point this morning. So it does seem inevitable that Wilshere will be leaving the on loan.”
Of the aforementioned clubs Crystal Palace and Bournemouth are the most sensible considering Palace’s proximity to where Wilshere is already based, while Bournemouth is managed by the highly-regarded Eddie Howe. Watford is also a local club for the midfielder but is likely attracted to the other clubs style of play and management.
Of course Wilshere may have to spend 12 months with Alan Pardew, not something easy to swallow, but let’s call it ‘character building’.
It seems an odd decision to let Wilshere leave considering Arsenal’s well documented troubles with injuries over the years and the fact that we challenge on all four fronts this season. But Wenger clearly has an eye on the future in terms of allowing the midfielder to finally overcome his own injury troubles and get some minutes under his belt. Wilshere’s loan spell at Bolton did him a world of good, perhaps we’ll get the player we all know and love back next season raring to go.
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