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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger urges Jack Wilshere to put pen to paper on new contract

Arsene Wenger has urged Jack Wilshere to put pen to paper on a new contract as he moves ever closer to the end of his current Arsenal deal.

Wilshere’s contract expires at the end of the season and he is free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with clubs outside England. Juventus have taken an interest in the 26-year-old, though his priority remains new terms with Arsenal.

Despite optimism from all parties that terms will be agreed Arsenal are yet to secure Wilshere’s signature on an extension that is expected to encompass a lower initial salary than he currently earns with performance-based add-ons to reflect the England international’s chequered history with injuries.

“That decision doesn’t depend only on me,” Wenger said. “I want him to sign very quickly.

“We are still to make the decision and find the pen somewhere. I’m happy to give him one.”

Wilshere confirmed in late December that he was ready to sign an extension though talks have been consistently pushed back by Arsenal amid a packed fixture schedule.

Encouragingly for Wenger Wilshere has proven himself able to handle the burden and has missed only three games since the turn of the year.