Arsenal’s negotiations with Jack Wilshere is reported to be progressing poorly and a club exit after this season might not be unlikeliest of possibilities. The 26-year-old will not agree to a pay-cut ever since he has proved his fitness over the course of the season.
Mesut Ozil’s £350,000-a-week deal is testament enough to what Wilshere should expect from the North London club but Arsene Wenger will struggle to offer him a similar deal.
If Wilshere does depart after the 2017/18 season here are a few candidates the Frenchman should consider.
Leander Dendoncker
The 22-year-old is a versatile presence around the football pitch and is capable of covering every blade of grass. His primary role is that of a defensive midfielder but has the tenacity and discipline to appear as a centre back while also the creativity to play in the attacking midfield position. His talents are boundless and has quite rightfully drawn the eyes of English sides who could do very well with his talents in the squad.
With 1 assists in 27 total appearances for the Belgian outfit this season, Dendoncker is a regular starter under Hein Vanhaezebrouck and helped the side to win the 2016/17 league title. He also got called up to the senior Belgium national side and has been capped four times already.
A host of Premier League sides have expressed interests in him and Arsenal can make a swoop with a beefed-up offer.
Emre Can
Can is a domineering presence in the heart of the park and plays in the anchor role for Liverpool. The midfielder is a key figure in the Liverpool squad and has racked up 4 goals and 3 assists in 29 appearances this season. Judging by the playing time he has received, one would think that the German has no reason to be unhappy at the club.
However, recent reports claim that Liverpool are yet to sign him to an extension and recent negotiations have not progressed positively. Interests from Juventus were previously reported upon but the Serie A outfit have not agreed terms with him either.
Wenger can provide him an escape but a lucrative deal will be hard to provide judging by Wilshere’s current situation.
Joao Mario
Inter Milan midfielder, Mario who is currently spending the remainder of the season with West Ham United is expected to be in the market for a possible transfer if Luciano Spaletti remains with the Serie A outfit.
He is an experience Portuguese international who can be fielded on almost any of the midfield positions.
