Wilshere meets Pellegrini in bid to finalise his future

JACK WILSHERE has held face-to-face talks with West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini ahead of a potential move to the London Stadium. Fenerbahce have made a huge offer to the free agent — but the Hammers are also trying to wrap up a deal for the midfielder, who left his boyhood club Arsenal last month. Wilshere is understood to have discussed how he would fit into Pellegrini’s plans. The offer from Turkish giants Fenerbahce would almost certainly eclipse the Hammers’ deal, but Wilshere’s family are settled in London so it will not be purely a financial decision. Wolves and Everton are also interested.

SCOTT PARKER has returned to Fulham as first-team coach. Former England midfielder Parker, 37, hung up his boots in 2017 following a four-year spell at Fulham, during which time he was also captain of the club. Since then he has been working in the youth set-up at Tottenham, another of his former clubs, but will return to Craven Cottage to link up with manager Slavisa Jokanovic. Parker will be replaced as Under 18 coach by Matt Wells, who is the grandson of Cliff Jones, the winger in Tottenham’s 1961 Doublewinning team.

STEVE BRUCE is due for crunch talks with Aston Villa’s hierarchy after director of football Steve Round was dismissed in a shock sacking by owner Tony Xia yesterday. The Villa manager’s position is in fresh doubt after the loss of a major ally while commercial officer Luke Organ and Rongtian He, viewed as Xia’s eyes and ears, have flown to Portugal where Villa are holding their pre-season training camp.

WATFORD have finally agreed a £4million fee with West Bromwich Albion for goalkeeper Ben Foster, 35.