Arsenal Transfer News: Jack Wilshere Bid Looms, Morgan Schneiderlin Rumours

Manchester City will turn their attention toward Arsenal's Jack Wilshere after failing to sign Raheem Sterling from Liverpool, according to David Maddock and David McDonnell of the Mirror.

Manuel Pellegrini's squad is desperately lacking in homegrown players after it was announced that James Milner would depart the Etihad Stadium for Anfield. As such, Maddock and McDonnell suggest City will launch a £30 million bid for Wilshere after Liverpool turned down a £40 million approach for Sterling.

However, Wilshere previously confirmed he wouldn't move just to tick a box in the City squad, relayed by the Mirror's John Cross: "I definitely would not go somewhere just because I am a homegrown player. I'd want to be wanted by a club. I want to be wanted by Arsenal."

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Pellegrini has had no qualms about suggesting he wishes to build around English talent. At the start of May, he acknowledged City were going to lose two Englishmen during the window—Milner and Micah Richards, who joined Aston Villa on Wednesday, reported by BBC Sport.

He suggested the club would react to this by saying "all the English teams need English players, and they all want the best ones," reported by Simon Mullock of the Mirror.

Wilshere endured a frustrating 2014-15 season, which was yet another campaign interrupted by injury. He scored two Premier League goals in 14 appearances but registered just 732 minutes of league football, recorded by Soccerway.

He has been in marvellous form recently, though. Wilshere scored on his return to the starting lineup during Arsenal's 4-1 win over West Bromwich Albion on May 24. On June 14, the midfielder struck two excellent goals in England's 3-2 win over Slovenia after being selected in a more advanced role by Three Lions boss Roy Hodgson. The second can be seen below:

The 23-year-old could become a mainstay in Arsene Wenger's midfield if he remains fit and confident. Even so, Wilshere needs to add further goals to his game. He's a fine passer of the ball and someone who looks to bring others into play, but his best role has yet to be determined.

Wenger knows it will take £24 million to bring in Southampton defensive midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin, according to the Sun (h/t Charles Perrin of the Express). He could dominate for the Gunners from the halfway line but would face competition from the likes of Francis Coquelin for a regular place in the team. Perhaps if Wenger acquired Schneiderlin, it would allow Wilshere to play increasingly carefree football further up the pitch.

B/R UK's Graham Ruthven recently looked at other questions Arsenal must answer during the transfer window:

Wilshere has the ability to be a key star for the Gunners next season. Arsenal fans won't want to see one of their own sold to City, not after Emmanuel Adebayor, Gael Clichy, Samir Nasri and Bacary Sagna all made the switch from north London to Manchester.

City's desire to land Englishmen means they will have to pay big bucks no matter who they target. Wilshere has always come across as a one-club man—he's fiercely loyal to the Arsenal cause—and Wenger won't want to see him leave before he delivers on his potential.