Trabzonspor president Muharrem Usta recently admitted he held talks with Arsenal and England midfielder Jack Wilshere during the summer.

Wilshere was free to leave Arsenal during the summer transfer window and was the subject of interest from several clubs. One of those clubs, it turns out, was Turkish Super Lig side Trabzonspor.

Muharrem Usta, the club’s president, admitted as much, according to latest reports, saying: “I held direct talks with Jack Wilshere. We wanted him on loan and were close to a deal but the move stalled at the last moment.”

There was keen interest in the 25-year-old from Turkey, as both Fenerbahce and Antalyaspor also attempted to sign him. We’re not sure if a move didn’t happen due to a disagreement over terms or because Wilshere simply didn’t fancy a move abroad.

Either way, he ended up staying at Arsenal and will see out the final year of his contract with the club. There’s no progress on contract talks, I believe. Turkish interest may resurface in January when Wilshere is free to talk with suitors ahead of a free transfer in the summer.

In the meantime, the playmaker is working hard to regain fitness after a leg fracture he suffered last April and could soon feature for the Arsenal first-team again. The long-serving midfielder could be involved against Cologne in the Europa League on Thursday and Doncaster in the Carabao Cup next week.