The media claim Jack Wilshere will have to take a pay cut to get a new deal with the Gunners, even though talks haven’t even started.

Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail says Wilshere will have to accept less than his current £90,000-a-week deal plus bonuses.

Arsenal are reportedly planning to offer the midfielder a lower basic wage but with more performance-related bonuses.

On the surface, that makes perfect sense.

The Gunners have spent tons of money on the England international over the years. Given he regularly picks up injuries, that money could be better spent elsewhere.

If Arsenal can get the 25-year-old to agree to a lower wage with more bonuses, they won’t have to spend so much for a player lying in a hospital bed. Plus, if Wilshere ends up playing every game, he’ll get all the bonuses, so it’s a win-win.

However, Wenger was very clear in his recent press-conference that they haven’t begun negotiations yet.

The manager explained that he’d spoken to Wilshere to set a date for talks, but that’s it.

So, since we know the talks aren’t taking place before next Wednesday, I’m not sure how the Daily Mail already know Arsenal’s offer.

Right now, you’d have to assume they’re just guessing, but we should know more when talks do finally begin.