Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere 'leaning towards loan move to Bournemouth'

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere is reportedly leaning towards a season-long loan move to Bournemouth as opposed to Crystal Palace.

The 24-year-old is believed to have been told by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger that he can leave the Emirates today in order to play more first-team football.

A string of injury woes have hampered the midfielder's progress in the past few years, and it appears as though he has dropped down the pecking order.

Bournemouth and Crystal Palace became the frontrunners for Wilshere's signature last night after Watford, Sporting Lisbon and Benfica dropped out of contention.

The midfielder met with Palace boss Alan Pardew and Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe last night, and according to The Mirror, the Cherries are in the driving seat.

It is believed that Wilshere was impressed with Howe's proposal, and his close friend Benik Afobe, who left Arsenal last year, could be playing a part in trying to convince the midfielder to join him on the south coast.

The loan move could get Wilshere's England career back on track after he was left out of Sam Allardyce's squad to face Slovakia in a World Cup qualifier on Sunday.

Wilshere has made just two appearances from the substitutes' bench this season.