The staggering cost of West Ham United signing Jack Wilshere has been put into context after reports claimed the midfielder will miss the rest of the season.
Eyebrows were raised when the Hammers signed Wilshere last summer.
While nobody was doubting the former Arsenal man’s quality, there were huge concerns over his fitness and injury record.
Even on a free transfer many supporters and pundits felt it was not worth the risk.
Wilshere out for season – report
According to reports this week on the likes of fans site Claret and Hugh, Wilshere is set to be ruled out for the rest of the season.
The midfielder did not travel with the squad for their winter training camp in Spain.
And his ankle injury means he is unlikely to play again in the final three months of the campaign.
Therefore the true cost of Wilshere’s first season at his boyhood club can be laid bare.
True cost of ‘free’ Wilshere laid bare… it’s a lot
According to sports payroll website Spotrac, Wilshere collects £100,000 per week with the Hammers. An annual pay packet of £5.2 million, without bonuses.
While that is some £50,000 less than he was on with the Gunners. But it makes him West Ham’s third highest paid player behind Marko Arnautovic and Javier Hernandez.
And crucially it was not on a pay as you play basis.
Wilshere has played just four games for Manuel Pellegrini’s side and featured once as a late sub.
It means that come the summer Wilshere will have cost the Hammers a staggering £1.3million for every game he has played in his first season.
Insult to injury
To add insult to injury, West Ham lost all four games he started.
Ironically when he made his comeback from his first ankle injury as a late sub against Newcastle he set Felipe Anderson on his way for a sublime third goal in a 3-0 win.
But he then injured his other ankle, keeping him out ever since.
It is a shame for the player who said he had realised a dream by signing for the club he supported growing up.
Hope remains he can get himself fit again over the summer and make up for lost time next season.
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