Arsenal Transfer News: Latest on Jack Wilshere and Daniel Sturridge Rumours

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere is being "hassled" out of the club by manager Arsene Wenger, according to football pundit Tony Cascarino.

Writing in the Times, the former Chelsea striker compared Wilshere's dramatic loan exit to that of Joe Hart at Manchester City (h/t Jack de Menezes of The Independent):

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I've heard a lot of people this week putting a very positive spin on Jack Wilshere’s season-long loan to Bournemouth. “Good for Jack, he’s going to play football,” they say. But the reality is that this move is no different, no less brutal, than Joe Hart being hassled out of Manchester City.

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This stinks of Wenger wanting him out of the club. He’s done exactly what Pep Guardiola has done to Hart at City. I think issues off the pitch have played a role and Wenger has decided that Jack isn’t part of his plans any more. I have no doubt that Jack would have sat down with the gaffer after the first few games of the season — as many of us do — and it’s clear that Wenger hasn’t given him the answers he wanted. We have to stop kidding ourselves — he’s been forced out of the club.

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Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

Wilshere opted to join Bournemouth after departing north London, but a move to Roma was scuppered as the Gunners demanded an inflated fee from the Italian giants.

James Olley of the London Evening Standard reported the Giallorossi were quoted a "significantly higher fee" than the south-coast club, paving the way for the midfielder to stay in the Premier League. The 24-year-old is said to have turned down four other transfer options before deciding to join Eddie Howe at the Cherries. 

Olley reported Roma, AC Milan and Juventus all "registered an interest" in the England star, but they were expected to pay more than the £2 million fee agreed with Bournemouth and Crystal Palace. Talks collapsed as a result, leaving Wilshere's options limited.

Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

In other news, Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge was interested in a move back to London with Arsenal, and his representatives initiated talks with the Gunners before the transfer deadline, according to Chris Wheatley of Goal.

However, Jurgen Klopp turned his nose up at the prospect, forcing the former Chelsea striker to remain at Anfield. Wenger was said to be prepared to discuss a loan for the forward despite his horrendous injury record of the past two years.

The 27-year-old scored 11 goals last term in the Premier League, according to WhoScored.com. He has only managed to appear in 67 minutes of action for the Reds since the start of the new campaign, as he struggles to regain his regular starting berth under the enigmatic German coach.

OLI SCARFF/Getty Images

Football presenter Richard Keys said in a recent blog post he believes it is "inevitable" Sturridge will leave Merseyside:

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Klopp will know he's got to sort out the inconsistency. Oh - and Daniel Sturridge. How many times have I said - managers/coaches always believe they can get something out of a player that no-one else has? They always end up disappointed. Players don't change. Sturridge is a talent, but high maintenance. 

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BEN STANSALL/Getty Images

Wilshere's move to Bournemouth will allow him to accrue the minutes needed to win back his place in the England squad, but Cascarino's assessment rings true as Arsenal push the player toward the exit.

The Gunners are blessed with a plethora of skilful midfielders, and Wilshere doesn't figure in the team's immediate plans after numerous injury breaks.

Sturridge would have been a gamble for Wenger, but the Frenchman has not been able to find the predatory striker he desperately needs in his side.

The former Chelsea player has the ability to play for a Champions League outfit, and he might have flourished with the Arsenal shirt on his back, with plenty of service from Mesut Ozil at the club he supported as a boy.