What is Wilshere’s agent trying to gain on Arsenal with ‘lies’?

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has claimed that Jack Wilshere’s agent has lied about his club’s apparent interest, but what would he have to gain?

The Arsenal midfielder is currently fighting to regain full match fitness, and is being slowly re-established into the first-team squad by the Gunners manager, who appears reluctant to overplay him at risk of another injury.

Wilshere has suffered a number of injuries over the years, and he is believed to have been told that he must prove his fitness to the manager in order to earn a new contract, and the player is adamant that he wishes to stay in North London.

Jack is into the final year of his current deal, and talks over an extension are said to be scheduled for next month, and that could potentially be why his agent is stirring up speculation.

Roy Hodgson has insisted that the player’s agent has told reporters about supposed interest from his club about a possible move to Crystal Palace for Wilshere, but the former England coach has denied any truth in the rumours.

Hodgson said; “Who has linked him? That’s what you need to find out, because it didn’t come from us,”

“I will tell you who, his agent – because that’s where newspapers get their stories from.

“We have never mentioned his name. I work with [Palace sporting director] Dougie Freedman and we talk about potential players, and Jack Wilshere’s name has never been mentioned in this room.

“I like him and I think he is a very good player. There may come a time at Crystal Palace where Jack Wilshere would be just the player we are looking for, but I can’t tell you that is the case at the moment.”

Is Wilshere’s agent trying to create a storm to boost their position in contract negotiations? Is the player himself doing the opposite by continually reaffirming his love for the club and his intention to stay?

Pat J