Reports emerged on Sunday that Manchester City’s incoming manager Pep Guardiola wants Jack Wilshere in his midfield next season.

The Citizens were widely expected to complete a deal for Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gündogan, but the German dislocated his knee two weeks ago and is expected to be out for around five months.

Guardiola will need a new man to build a midfield around and, according to the Mirror, that man is Jack Wilshere, who is being targeted alongside Alexis Sánchez.

Wilshere started for Arsenal for the first time all season on Sunday afternoon and only played 14 Premier League games last season, but Arsène Wenger remains a huge fan of the Arsenal youth product.

However, if an offer of £40m or so did come in, Arsenal would surely be tempted. Wilshere’s fitness can’t be relied upon given his recent struggles and his current contract expires in two years – does he warrant a new one? He certainly hasn’t earned an improved one.

The report says Guardiola is a long-term admirer of the England international, but that doesn’t seem quite right.

“Wilshere is a top player. He is an excellent player, not just Arsenal, but also for the national team,” Guardiola said in 2011, before adding: “[But] he is lucky because we have many players in the second team like him but he plays because there is no pressure at his club to win titles.”

Regardless, Wilshere, 24, is also homegrown and Manchester City considered moving for him last summer – it would make sense for everyone involved.

Fernando and Fernandinho are unlikely to fit Guardiola’s playing philosophy, while Yaya Touré is expecting to move on. Manchester City will need a whole new midfield soon, so Jack Wilshere may well be one of their targets.