Will Dodds

Mon 2 November 2020 11:16, UK

Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp has backed West Brom to sign out of contract midfielder Jack Wilshere.

Wilshere was released by West Ham during the summer and is yet to find a new club.

The 28-year-old has seen his career sadly interrupted by injuries and he managed just 16 league appearances over the last two seasons.

Speaking to The Sun on Sunday, Redknapp said that West Brom should move for the former England man by offering him a pay-as-you-play deal.

“When you’ve been in football as long as me, there isn’t much left to shock – but seeing Jack Wilshere without a club certainly does,” he told The Sun on Sunday (1/11; page 60).

“Jack would be ideal for someone like Fulham or West Brom, and if you were paying him on appearances, there would be no risk.”

Risk vs reward

At his best, Wilshere was one of the most exciting young midfield talents in England, impressing for both Arsenal and the national team.

However, injuries saw him fail to fulfil some of his early promise and in 2018 he was released and moved to West Ham.

Given his injury record, bringing him to The Hawthorns would be a significant risk and as Redknapp states, a pay-as-you-play deal is perhaps the only option.

If the Baggies were able to agree to such a deal it would be worth the risk, as Wilshere has the talent to unlock defences and provide a link between midfield and attack.

There is the risk that bringing in a player on such a unique deal could disrupt the group, but if the ex-England man is willing to accept the inherent risk associated with his injury record, then it could work for both parties.

In other West Brom news, View: Why Bilic is right to call out underperforming star