Mark Hughes has reportably turned his attention to Jack Wilshere in the latest name to be linked with a move to St Mary's.

Saints are looking at bringing in Jack Wilshere with the Arsenal midfielder being out of contract this summer and available on a free transfer.

Whilst he has been offered a new deal at the Emirates, new Arsenal boss Unia Emery has been reported as already telling the player that he will not be a first choice in his plans next season.

There are a number of clubs interested in Wilshere although none from the big six, Wolves and West Ham are also linked and both have the means to meet his current £90,000 deal that is due to expire in the coming weeks.

But Saints also have that ability and the fact that there will be no transfer fee will allow them to utilise the money saved in transfer fees to cover his wages.

Wilshere has so far failed to realise his potential and 10 seasons since making his Arsenal debut has only played 125 Premier League games for the club plus another 31 out on loan including his spell at Bournemouth two years ago.

Injury has played a part in his relative lack of game time, but he played 38 games in all competitions for Arsenal last season and 27 Premier League games the season before at Bournemouth, so he seems to have stayed fit in the recent future.

It will be a tough task to get Wilshere down to St Mary's but it is a statement of intent that we are trying and will perhaps give an indication to Saints supporters that the club do intend to invest in the squad this summer.

Photo: Action Images

saintmark1976 added 10:24 - Jun 19 Please,not another injury prone Arsenal reject. Some of us older fans still remember what happened with Charlie George and Perry Groves.Wiltshire has flattered to deceive all of his career.Arsenal don't appear to want him now and Bournemouth didn't before so why on earth should we be interested?
5

undertoomers added 10:25 - Jun 19 For a start we don't pay the wages to attract the likes of Willshire, and nor should we when we'd be lucky to get half a season (of games) out of him. We should offer him a pay as you play contract, & I've no doubt he would tell us to coff - far away!
4

Jesus_02 added 10:30 - Jun 19 Looks like a West Ham signing all day long to me... desperate for profile. Injury prone. flashes of brilliance and long periods of ineffectiveness. He ticks all the boxes.
7

patred added 10:44 - Jun 19 he's not a signing, he's a name...a fast disappearing name at that
4

A1079 added 11:27 - Jun 19 Not that I think there is much mileage in this (hopefully) but definitely not. Don't want him anywhere near the Saints team. Why are we focusing on the midfield anyway? Not saying that it could do with some improvement as arguably the amount of scoring opportunities they create and convert is poor, but surely our focus should be on that defence and up front.
5

saintjf added 12:14 - Jun 19 Perry Groves! Never saw him play for Saints. He was announced as playing away to Swindon one time. He did not play. Please, please, no to Wilshere. Some big names deliver in the twilight of the career which is usually because they delivered throughout their career.
2

SanMarco added 12:35 - Jun 19 I think I saw Groves at Crystal Palace once - but maybe not. Charlie George had been a success at Derby before he came for his twilight zone spell with us. We have entered that part of the year when we all click a million times to discover who Saints are not signing or failed to sign. I don't want Wilshire for all the reasons given by the comrades above. Also anyone else not particularly impressed with Shaquiri the other night?

5

A1079 added 12:47 - Jun 19 I was not particularly impressed with Shaquiri the other night and he seems another player who blames everyone else but himself when things don't go well. Not a team player and we have had a few with his attitude at Saints recently, so do not need another one. I don't know whether Hughes and the board have a recruitment strategy for this summer, but the early signs are not good. It is early days I suppose and in all likelihood, not much is going to happen this side of the world cup (apart from endless rumours), but there is not that much time this close season and we need to have our ducks lined up - I just don't have faith that they do.

1

kenis added 13:23 - Jun 19 dont think would be a good signing given we already have options in centre mid, wages and expectations would mean he'd be expected to start. If we are playing 3-4-2-1 or 3-5-2 then is he seen as a number 10? Aren't Romeu, Lemina, Hojberg and Davis our middle three/two? Only reason would be if he really has the bit between his teeth to prove Top6 clubs were wrong. Normally better to get a player on their way up in their careers rather than on their way down, only his age makes it even a question. Agree got West Ham written all over it.

3

landsdownsaint added 13:24 - Jun 19 I would love him to come to us & I’d love Oliver Giroud , then 2 are a match for anyone imho
0

underweststand added 13:30 - Jun 19 I had hoped I might never have to read a headline like this one. I appreciate that some players have a bit of "an attitude ", but ever since he got a name at Arsenal, he seemed to be the swell-headed, c*cky type of young player who comes out of North London and thinks he's heavens gift to football. Despite the fact that Jack Stephens got his marching orders for their set-to last season, the whole incident brought smile to my face to see JW on his backside whilst holding a piece of Jack's shirt in his hand. However, If Mark Hughes does want him then we may have to grin and bear it until he comes unstuck again. Perhaps someone should remind the Board that in Saints history the number of "London-based " players who have settled in and DAJFU can almost be counted on your thumbs. If he's meant to be an alternative to Maddison - then this one is no contest.

1

TeamCortese added 20:26 - Jun 19 The real question is would you rather have Wilshere on a free or Steven Davis on his last legs in your team? I think the question answers for itself. Wilshere is a very, very talented player. What he needs right now is regular playing time at a decent club (with a decent manager) playing at the highest level domestically. Aside from last season that club is most definitely us. If we have a midfield trio of him, Lemina and Hojbjerg (with Romeu and JWP waiting as subs) then that's as good as it gets being a saints supporter. I don't think we'll have a better midfield trio. That could rival a top 6 club. Wilshere can really transform our midfield's creativity. He's that good. For all of you too short-sighted to see that I can't wait to see how wrong you'll be next season ;)

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Jesus_02 added 21:47 - Jun 19 @ TeamCortese . I am imagining there being a point in the season where he looks unstoppable, but I am also imagining it will be shortly before he gets injured. @ everyone else .. he's 26 , hes not n the twighlight of his career. it just seems that way because of his relationship with the subs bench and the physio
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redandwhitedee added 21:47 - Jun 19 No thanks
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SaintBrock added 14:39 - Jun 20 Of course we are not and for good reason
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SaintBrock added 14:42 - Jun 20 We didn't want Hughes either but we're stuck withim so Shaquiri is probably going to come, what we want doesn't matter.
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redandwhitedee added 01:22 - Jun 23 @Saint Brock .. did you see Shaqiri take Serbia apart ?
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