As reported by The Daily Star, Everton have emerged as the front runners to sign Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere, should he decide to leave the club this summer when his contract expires.

What's the story?

Wilshere has been heavily linked with a move away from the Emirates in recent weeks and months, failing to find agreement on a new contract at the Gunners.

That drama is centred around his fitness issues for Arsenal in recent seasons, say The Star, with his recent injury problems on England duty unlikely to help his situation if he decides to leave the club this summer.

However, the paper say that Everton are showing 'by far the strongest interest', putting them into pole position to secure his future.

Rated at £16.2m by Transfermarkt, getting him on the cheap would be a shrewd move by the Goodison Park outfit, but is signing him a big risk considering his injury record?

Too big a risk?

There's no doubting that Wilshere's career has been significantly hampered by multiple injuries through the years, but a few what could be considered as normal blips aside this term, he's managed to consistently be available for selection by Arsene Wenger.

He's made 31 appearances in all competitions for the Gunners this term and even though he failed to feature for England during the international break, that injury was not thought to be serious.

A driven and determined central midfielder, he could be a real asset to the Toffees next season, especially if they can land him on a free transfer, effectively taking any risk away from the deal aside from wages.

Everton are doing well to position themselves to benefit from his current situation, with interest from elsewhere reported to be less fierce.

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