Jack Wilshere's Arsenal future remains uncertain as Steve Bould refuses to talk about contract stalemate

The midfielder has turned down offers of a significant paycut and is likely to leave on a Bosman transfer this summer


 Wilshere's future remains in doubt (AFP/Getty Images)
 (AFP/Getty Images)

Steve Bould refused to speak about Jack Wilshere's Arsenal future as the midfielder's contract ticks down and an agreement looks further away than ever.

Bould, Arsenal's assistant manager, was standing in for Arsene Wenger at this week's press conference because the Frenchman has lost his voice.

And when it came to the tough questions over Wilshere's future, Bould did too.

"I’m not here to answer those questions," he said.

"I’m sitting in for Arsene to talk about the Stoke game, I’d much prefer you talk about football."

Wilshere's £125,000 per week contract with his boyhood club Arsenal expires at the end of the season and talks over an extension have been unproductive. For their part, the Gunners are keen to emphasise that they extended an offer to the player, but his entourage are wholly unhappy with the terms being put forward by the club which include a significant pay cut of 25%.

Speaking in Milan after a recent Europa League victory, Wilshere made it clear that the two sides were "not close" to finding a deal for the England midfielder to stay with the club he has played for since 2001, when he joined as a nine-year-old boy.

Wilshere is, at least, fit to play this weekend. And despite reports that the north London club were angry with the way England had treated Wilshere, Bould was keen to clarify that he knew nothing of it:

"Not that I’m aware of," he said. "I’m not sure where the reports are coming from. Jack had a bit of a knee problem, he’s come back and is fine."