Arsenal Reportedly Confident of a 'Breakthrough' in Jack Wilshere Contract Talks

Arsenal are reportedly confident they have made a "breakthrough" in their talks with Jack Wilshere over a new deal, while manager Arsene Wenger has given a positive indication the midfielder will sign. 

According to the Daily Mail's Sami Mokbel, the Gunners have made Wilshere a fresh contract offer, which still represents a pay cut but is less based on incentives than the deal he previously turned down.

The 26-year-old is "desperate to stay at the Emirates [Stadium]," and as such there is "growing confidence" within the club that he will commit his future to Arsenal.

Wenger will depart this summer and so is no longer part of that process, but he indicated Wilshere will likely remain, per James Olley of the Evening Standard:

The England international's career at the club seemed to be under threat last year when he broke his leg while on a season-long loan with Bournemouth.

He successfully returned to the side in this campaign, though, and after initially being utilised only in the UEFA Europa League and Carabao Cup while he returned to fitness, he became a regular fixture in the first team once again.

Wilshere enjoyed a strong run of form in the winter, and he has contributed two goals and six assists in all competitions, but he hasn't been as impressive of late, per ESPN FC's Mattias Karen:

A change of scenery could do him some good—just look at the way Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has thrived since swapping Arsenal for Liverpool last summer—though with Wenger moving on and a new manager coming in, staying put could be just as effective.

As for the Gunners, Wilshere, despite showing inconsistency, has at least offered some reminders of what he is capable of and the potential he has if that can be coaxed out of him consistently.

The pay cut will also mitigate their risk should he have more fitness problems, and a new deal would also prevent them from losing him for free and having to replace him on top of the issues they need to address in the transfer market this summer.