Wilshere: I'm 'no closer' to new deal with Arsenal

Watch enough Arsenal this season, and it's painfully evident just how important Jack Wilshere is to the north London lot's hopes of a top-flight revival.

With the England international's current Gunners deal set to lapse in the summer, penning Wilshere to a new contract has been one of the club's priorities, and now, developments are at an impasse with the midfielder admitting the two parties are "no closer" to an agreement.

An injury-riddled tenure prompted Arsenal's interest in an incentive-laden deal, with the Evening Standard's James Olley contending that a £90,000-a-week wage package had been tabled that could rise to £120,000. Arsene Wenger has said that the ball is in Wilshere's court, and now, it appears that an agreement on new terms may not be as straightforward as first thought

"Yeah, but things have changed since then and all I can tell you is that we are no closer to sorting anything out," Wilshere told Olley.

After a shock season-long loan move to Bournemouth ended with a leg break versus Spurs, doubts surrounded Wilshere's 2017-18 campaign. The 26-year-old has quelled concerns with a career-defining bounce-back season, making 29 appearances in all competitions whilst providing a much-needed catalyst in the middle of the park.

It's expected that Arsenal will offer an improved wage package amid reported interest from several clubs including Juventus.