OPINION
Speculation has been rife concerning the future of Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere recently and where he will play next, and the Mirror has recently reported that he has decided that he will be quitting the Emirates this summer.
According to the Manchester Evening News, Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is hoping to convince Marouane Fellaini to sign a new contract, but if this should fall through, then the 26-year-old Gunners man would be the best alternative to replace the Belgian at Old Trafford.
Mourinho will be reluctant to find the money to replace Fellaini, and with Wilshere available on a free transfer and seeking to join a top-level club, then it seems the perfect opportunity for both parties.
The England international was a firm fan favourite at Arsenal, which he established by being a reliable passer of the ball and providing stability to an arguably rocky defence.
Fans will be upset to see him leave the Emirates after spending most of his playing career there, and if he made a move to Premier League rivals Manchester United, then they may feel betrayed.
However, Wilshere has to do what is right for his career and leave Arsenal behind if he really wants to progress and consider himself as a world-class player that could make it into any international team he wanted.
He has been plagued by injury in recent years that has somewhat tampered with his Arsenal career – but he was always a solid presence in the starting line-up, and former boss Arsene Wenger always trusted him.
Wilshere is not a direct replacement for Fellaini as they both have a different style of playing, but he would be mad not to take up an offer of joining Mourinho. He would link up brilliantly with Nemanja Matic, and the pairing would certainly be a midfield to be reckoned with.
Unai Emery has made it clear that the central midfielder is not part of his plans for Arsenal, which is a shame, because he could have been part of something special that the new manager is building.
Nevertheless, it is onwards and upwards for Wilshere, who is at the prime of his career.