Mancini targets Jack Wilshere

Manchester City are set for another sensational summer of spending with Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere lined up as a £40 million transfer target.

The England international, 19, has been earmarked by Roberto Mancini as the man to bring a creative spark into the centre of their midfield.

And City – bankrolled by the billions of Sheik Mansour – are prepared to double Wilshere’s current £55,000 a week deal at the Emirates.

With Arsenal already set for a massive summer clearout – misfiring stars Nicklas Bendtner, Gael Clichy and Andrey Arshavin are tipped for the exit door – Wilshere is the one name boss Arsene Wenger wants to keep to build his new team around.

But, according to the News of the World, they will have to fend off the advances of the richest club in the world to keep future England captain-elect Wilshere.

Gareth Barry is a fan of the young England international, “The more he has played this year, the more his performances have grown and his confidence has grown. In the games I have seen him play, he has been putting in some great performances.”

“You always want to play alongside the best players and at the minute Jack is playing very well.”