Jack Wilshere has reportedly been offered the chance to extend his stay at Arsenal.
Having returned to the starting XI in recent months, Wilshere has shown glimpses of his former potential and would have expected a contract offer, with his current deal at the Emirates set to expire in the summer.
Negotiations had been taking place over Christmas and a formal offer arrived on Tuesday, according to respected BBC reporter Ian Dennis.
Understand Arsenal have offered a new deal to Jack Wilshere. The offer is less money than his current deal but it's heavily incentivised. #AFC
— Ian Dennis (@Iandennisbbc) January 16, 2018
In unexpected fashion, the Gunners actually offered Wilshere less money than he’s currently on.
The 26-year-old is said to be on a basic weekly wage of £110,000 now, with the new deal expected to see Wilshere take home a guaranteed £90,000-a-week, with add-ons based on appearances and consistency.
While it makes sense for the club to make Wilshere’s earnings more dependent on his success, given his fitness issues over the years, supporters simply couldn’t believe that they’d have the nerve to look for a player whose dedication to the cause has never been in question to accept a pay cut.
Offering wilshere less money with incentives is an awful offer, they have no intention of challenging with their current hierarchy and are blatantly trying to take advantage of a great players loyalty to the club, the club is getting more delusional and budgeted by the day #afc
— Simon P Frankland (@SimonPFrankland) January 16, 2018
https://twitter.com/MartinBritnell/status/953320218868178944
Can’t believe arsenal have offered Jack Wilshere less money purely taking advantage of the fact that he loves the club
— Brad (@Bellairs_) January 16, 2018
https://twitter.com/mjquinlan1986/status/953245109549719552
I honestly think Jack Wilshere should leave the club. How can offer him a contract with a reduction in his basic wage from £90k to £80k. This club @Arsenal is a JOKE
— Once Upon A Time™ (@Mr_Abdulai) January 16, 2018
They’ve offered less cause they know he’ll take it because he loves the club so much. Such a joke. Club is a shambles
— Mitch Franco (@AFCFranco86) January 16, 2018
Thats a disgrace!!He’s been the best midfielder at the club this season and he’s only played about 5 games!What is going on at Arsenal?
— Stephen Jones (@SnowySteve5) January 16, 2018
@Arsenal should stop this joke
Pay @JackWilshere our next captain, he love arsenal deep than this !! Camon pay him well
— Jean Didier Kwadjo Nartey (@jeannartey) January 16, 2018
Only a day earlier, Gary Neville showered Wilshere with praise, claiming that England manager Gareth Southgate simply doesn’t have a better midfielder at his disposal.
“He’s the best English midfield player by a street,” Neville told Monday Night Football.
“I worked with all of the English midfield players for four years and he could play in any single team in this country and live in that team or any single team in Europe, he is that good.
“The problem with Jack Wilshere is his fitness and his injuries and his reliability. If you had him playing every week he is a wonderful, wonderful player. He has a great attitude, he trains well and he has got fantastic ability.
“He takes the ball on the half-turn and he’s the only English central midfield player [like that]. Dele Alli yes and Ross Barkley yes, but I class them as being more forwards.
“I’ve worked with him and I’ve got no allegiance to Jack Wilshere or Arsenal Football Club and this is a fantastic player and talent, who is a must for England if he is fit and playing well.”
