Arsenal: £30 Million For Jack Wilshere Tantalisingly Falling Short

Jack Wilshere is reportedly the subject of a £30 million offer from West Ham. Arsenal could cash in on his services but that figure falls short… just.

Arsene Wenger is insistent and stubborn in his approach in building his squad. Unlike many other managers of the top clubs who will often look to buy their way to success, the economically minded Wenger rather acquires younger players and then develop them in-house, as he looks to fill Arsenal’s squad with depth and variety.

It is an approach that has seen many top quality players work their way through the ranks at London Colney, some of which are now regular contributors to the first team. The likes of Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Hector Bellerin were brought in as talented youngsters, only to be groomed, honed and improved, such that they are now accomplished, polished, well-rounded starting members of the squad.

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However, while some develop, fulfilling their early potential, others are unable to do so. There is often a point in all where a decision is made: the make or break. For Jack Wilshere, the man who is portrayed as the poster-boy for Wenger’s youthful approach, that time has now come, and still, much uncertainty abounds.

After seeing his career stagnate critically thanks to a run of debilitating injuries, Wilshere was sent out on loan, Bournemouth his destination, with the hope that some consistent game time would allow him to build up some fitness, returning to the club at the end of the season refreshed and ready to reignite his career.

But amid all this uncertainty, Wilshere’s contract has also been, quietly, winding down. At the end of the year, he will have just one year remaining and will then be available to any club on a free transfer. With a decision yet to be made regarding his future at Arsenal, there are a growing number of teams circling, hopeful that they can prize him away from the North London a year before his contract expires.

The latest reports suggest that the newest club to be intrigued by the possibility to Wilshere is West Ham, with a £30 million figure touted as a potential bid is lined up. Ultimately, if Wenger no longer sees Wilshere’s future at Arsenal, then there comes a point where his intentions must turn to maximising the value that he can receive in selling him.

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This summer, for me, is too soon for that time to come. Wilshere deserves one more year in North London to prove his fitness and his future. Signing him to a new contract to ensure that a return can be found if he is indeed sold would be a wise move, but selling him now, even for £30 million, while tantalising, would be a mistake.

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