Steve Bould Dismisses Questions over Jack Wilshere Exit Amid Everton Rumours

Arsenal assistant manager Steve Bould dismissed questions about Jack Wilshere's future at the club on Thursday amid fresh speculation the midfielder will leave in the summer.

Wilshere's contract at the Emirates Stadium is set to run out at the end of the season, with rumours rife he is set to leave the Gunners. According to David Woods of the Daily Star, Everton are leading the race for the player.

Bould, who filled in for an ill Arsene Wenger on Thursday in his pre-match press conference, was quick to shut down any questions about Wilshere's contract situation.

"I'm not here to answer those questions," he said. "I'm sitting in for Arsene to talk about the Stoke [City] game. I'd much prefer you talk about football."

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As The Independent noted, Wilshere is earning £125,000 per week at the Emirates Stadium and is said to be unwilling to take a pay cut as part of any new deal. It's added that the midfielder recently said the prospect of an extension was "not close."

According to Woods, Wilshere wants to stay at his boyhood club but is unhappy with the terms on offer. Everton are said to be ready to capitalise on the situation and "are currently showing by far the strongest interest" in the midfielder.

Bleacher Report's Dean Jones noted there are a number of massive clubs around Europe ready to offer Wilshere the chance of a fresh start:

After a string of torrid seasons, Wilshere has rediscovered some of his best form in 2017-18, re-establishing himself as a regular at the heart of the Arsenal side.

Technically, he's as good as any English midfielder. He is willing to take the ball in tight spaces, commit opponents and can pick incisive passes when he does venture into the final third. The big issue for him has been staying fit; he pulled out of the recent England squad with a knee problem.

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With that in mind, it's understandable Arsenal are only willing to offer reduced terms, although the player will feel as though his recovery this season has been sufficient enough. After all, Wilshere has started 10 Premier League games for the Gunners in 2017-18.

James Benge of the Evening Standard praised the 26-year-old's application and said it would be unwise to lose the player:

Having emerged through the club's youth setup and become a regular first-team player, there's a lot of love for Wilshere among the Arsenal fans. Given the work the club have done with the midfielder and support they have given him through various injury tribulations, losing him for nothing in the summer would be galling.

There's still time to do a deal, although clubs from across the continent are also permitted to approach Wilshere with contract offers. With that in mind, it's easy to see the midfielder being tempted elsewhere by a lucrative deal and the prospect of a new challenge.