Jack Wilshere Offers Arsenal Contract Update Amid Summer Exit Rumours

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has said contract negotiations remain ongoing with the club amid speculation he is set for a summer departure. 

The 26-year-old's deal will expire at the end of the campaign, meaning rumours Wilshere may walk away from his boyhood club have gathered pace. However, the England international told Sky Sports News he has never considered leaving the Gunners despite the contract impasse (h/t Max Winters of the MailOnline):

"We are still in the same position really. Not much has changed. We are still talking.

"Obviously the boss has left which has changed things a little bit because I don't know who is going to be the manager next year and that can change things. But we are still talking, and I am hopeful and the club is hopeful we can get something done. ...

"To be honest with you, I haven't really thought about [moving somewhere else]. I have said before that [this] is where I want to be, and I have not really had much time to think about moving clubs."

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According to John Cross of the Daily Mirror, Wilshere's reluctance to sign a new contract has been due to Arsenal's offer of a deal with reduced wages.

The Gunners have offered Wilshere £90,000 per week, which is £20,000 per week below his current wages. However, Cross reported that Arsenal recently improved their offer, with a weekly salary in excess of £100,000 on the table for the player.

While he's had his injury issues down the years, there's no doubt Wilshere is a class act when he's at his best. World Soccer Talk's Kartik Krishnaiyer believes the Gunners should be doing what they can to keep the midfielder around:

But reports of an improved offer and the above quotes from the man himself will fuel optimism that an agreement can be reached. Wilshere, after all, is one of the most popular members of the Arsenal squad and potentially a key player for the new coach who arrives in north London to replace the outgoing Arsene Wenger.

Wilshere understands the club, is passionate and also has the poise to dictate matches from midfield. Per James Benge of the Evening Standard, it appears the 26-year-old is still invested in the future of the club:

Having been at Arsenal his entire career, there is an argument for Wilshere to leave for a fresh challenge. A new environment may serve as further motivation going into what should be the peak years of his career.

But he's an Arsenal supporter, and despite the tribulations of the past few seasons, he will still have hopes of achieving his potential at the Emirates Stadium. As such, it would be a surprise if the parties didn't reach an agreement in the weeks to come.