Arsenal Transfer News: Big-Money Deals Eyed by Arsene Wenger, Latest Rumours

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has revealed that he has been given no reassurances regarding his long-term future at the Emirates Stadium by Arsene Wenger.

Speaking in an interview with Oliver Holt of the Daily Mail, the England international opened up about a testing campaign and admitted it would be tough to take if the Gunners hierarchy decided to sell him:

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I would be hurt if they sold me. I want Arsenal to want me. So if they didn’t want me, it would hurt. It would be strange playing for another club. I went to Bolton on loan and that was strange.

I feel like I’m ready to play now and that’s not going to change. I want to play more minutes before the end of the season and then I’ll have to wait until next season and see what the boss’s plans are for me, for the team.

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Wilshere showcased his undeniable talent on the final day of the season, scoring an extraordinary goal in a virtuoso display and helping the Gunners to a 4-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion. But he’s only made nine Premier League starts in another season which has been punctured by persistent injury problems, per WhoScored.com.

As noted by Adrian Kajumba of the Daily Mirror, Manchester City have been linked with a £30 million move for the midfielder. However, Bleacher Report’s Arsenal correspondent James McNicholas thinks that the Gunners should keep hold of him:

It’d be a tough decision for the Londoners to cut ties with their academy prospect, but taking sentiment out of the equation, there’s definitely a case to be made for cashing in should Arsenal be in receipt of a substantial offer.

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As noted here by arseblog, at the moment even a fully fit and firing Wilshere would find it tough to make it into the starting XI:

There’s definite talent to work with when it comes to the England man and it’s important for any side to preserve a core of homegrown players. But what use will he be if he continues to pick up knocks that keep him out of the side for months at a time? If City do come in with circa £30 million, the Gunners should take the money and run.

Arsenal Ready to Wrap Up Vidal Deal

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According to Hernan Feller of DirecTV, Arsenal will announce the signing of Arturo Vidal after this summer’s Copa America.

“After the Copa America of Chile, the arrival of Arturo Vidal in the Arsenal will be made official,” said Feler, per Soccerlens (h/t James Whaling of the Daily Mirror). “It is fully closed. He will be companion of Alexis.”

Here’s a look at what the Emirates faithful could look forward to should the Chilean join:

There’s little denying that Vidal would be a major coup for Arsenal should a deal be struck, especially for the transfer fee of £25 million, which is mentioned by Whaling. Put simply, the Bianconeri star is one of the finest midfield players in the game, boasting all the attributes needed to flourish in the Premier League.

However, as noted by David Amoyal of GianlucaDiMarzio.com, at this juncture, it’s difficult to see these reports being true, especially given the challenges that both Vidal and Juventus face in the coming weeks:

From the Gunners’ perspective, a player in Vidal’s mode is exactly what they should be pursuing moving forward. Not only is he a major threat carrying the ball upfield, but he boasts an unrelenting energy, incredible combativeness and basic defensive instincts, which would add so much to the base of this Arsenal midfield.

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Perhaps, with a potential treble there for the taking for Juve, Vidal may feel as though a new challenge is in order for him at the end of the campaign. But it’d be a major surprise if the reports suggesting a deal is already in place were accurate.