Wilshere given ‘take it or leave it’ contract offer by Arsenal

Daniel Storey

Jack Wilshere faces the prospect of going to the World Cup without a club after Arsenal informed him that they will not be improving their contract offer.

Wilshere wants to stay at Arsenal, but is unhappy at being asked to take a pay cut on his current salary and also signing up to a deal which puts a proportion of his salary in incentives based on appearance bonuses.

Having broken back into the first team in recent months and established himself again as one of Arsenal’s best players, Wilshere was hopeful that the club might improve their offer.

That now seems not to be the case, with Arsenal refusing to cede any ground on the issue. That leaves Wilshere, thought to have several summer offers, considering whether to swallow his pride or leave his boyhood club.

Wilshere has been recalled by Gareth Southgate, and could use the World Cup as a shop window for a new club. Good performances in Russia would increase the demand in him, and thus also his potential salary.