Gunners set to snap up English wonderkid (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Gunners set to snap up English wonderkid

9:21am Sunday 28th September 2008 in Sport

MEDIA reports this morning claim that Arsenal are set to hand wonderkid Jack Wilshere a new six-year contract following his sensational breakthrough at the Emirates.

The 16-year-old, who scored during the 6-0 Carling Cup hammering of Sheffield United in mid-week is reported to pocket just £75 a week on his current YTS forms.

But according to the News of the World Arsene Wenger is keen to offer him a contract that will see his weekly wage rise by a staggering 200 times.

The Gunners will have to wait until Wilshere turns 17 on New Year’s Day to net him on a £15,000 a week deal, when he is allowed to sign his first professional contract.

But with rivals Chelsea monitoring events closely, the north Londoners will be keen to secure the youngster on this new long-term deal after boss Wenger handed him squad number 19 this season before giving him his Premier League debut against Blackburn earlier this month.