Arsenal Transfer News: Improved Jack Wilshere Contract Offer Rumoured

Arsenal have reportedly offered Jack Wilshere an improved contract as interest builds in the midfielder who is available on a free transfer this summer. 

The Daily Mirror's John Cross noted the Gunners have upped their offer to over £100,000 per week since "Wilshere is keen to continue at the Emirates under whoever ends up succeeding Arsene Wenger as manager."

Arsenal are also conscious of warding off interest from several clubs, per the article. Cross named Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers, along with Serie A duo AC Milan and Juventus, as those keen on snapping up the midfielder on a free.

Yet the fact the 26-year-old is keen to stay at Arsenal even after Wenger steps down as manager this summer is a sure sign of his affinity for the north London club.

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Wenger has been one of Wilshere's most ardent supporters, despite the brittle playmaker suffering a litany of injuries. Consistency has also been an issue for the technically gifted No. 10, who has often struggled to find his best position on the Frenchman's watch and spent the 2016/17 season on loan at Bournemouth.

Those issues are likely why the Gunners initially offered Wilshere a "proposal of £90,000 a week—a £20,000 per week pay-cut from his current deal which expires in the summer, although their package did include incentives and add-ons," per Cross.

However, while Arsenal may appear to have relented on what is a reasonable stance of caution towards a player with such a lengthy injury history, Wilshere may still be playing elsewhere next season.

The Gunners reportedly have a free-transfer midfield target of their own in the form of Schalke 04's Max Meyer.

Schalke confirmed via Twitter on Monday the Germany international won't play for the Bundesliga club again:

Meyer told Bild (h/t Alex Richards of the Daily Mirror) he has been driven out of Schalke by sporting director Christian Heidel, whom he accused of making him feel "bullied."

Arsenal bid for Meyer late in the January transfer window, per Bild (h/t Michael Keshani of Football.London). Keshani said "there are still whispers" the 22-year-old could move to the Gunners.

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Signing Meyer would reduce the need to pay over the odds for Wilshere.

While the Germany international can operate effectively in a deeper role, Wilshere is at his best in the final third, where Arsenal already have Mesut Ozil and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

Aaron Ramsey, whose contract expires in 2019, is another valuable midfielder. The Welshman offers greater scoring potential than Wilshere, making the extension of his deal a bigger priority as the club gets set to begin the post-Wenger era.