Everton boss Sam Allardyce hails Arsenal star Jack Wilshere's revival but dodges transfer links

Everton manager Sam Allardyce refused to be drawn on his side’s interest in Jack Wilshere but did not stint in his praise for how the Arsenal midfielder has overcome his injury woes.

Wilshere’s contract at Arsenal expires at the end of the season and there is no sign of an imminent agreement after the Gunners offered him an extension that would be incentivised and include a reduction in his basic wage to around £90,000-a-week.

The Toffees are among a host of sides paying close attention to how those talks progress, with Italian giants Juventus and AC Milan also keen on Wilshere.

However Allardyce was unwilling to go into detail over whether would make a move to reunite Wilshere with his former Arsenal team-mate Theo Walcott, who joined Everton in January.

“I can't comment on that, you're not supposed to be talking about that,” he told talkSPORT when asked about Wilshere.

“I've always admired him, oh yes.”

It is clear, though, that Allardyce has kept an eye on Wilshere’s recovery from injury, which has seen the playmaker overcome the broken leg he suffered on loan at Bournemouth to make 31 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal this season.

“I've seen a big difference in Jack Wilshere recently, in his frame, in his body,” he said.

“He looks like he has really got the bit between his teeth.

“He looks a lot fitter than he was and he is leaner in his face. He looks like he's had a real go off the field, with his diet and extra training, to overcome his injury problems and prove what a great player he is.

“Hopefully if he is over his problems, whether it's Arsenal or another club, we all hope he has a long career ahead of him.”