Ex-Arsenal midfielder reveals he rejected chance to join Wayne Rooney at Derby County

Jack Wilshere was released by AFC Bournemouth at the end of last season and, despite looking close to joining Italian side Como over the summer, is still without a club months into the new campaign.

The midfielder is currently training with former club Arsenal in a bid to keep up his fitness as he looks to open the next chapter in his footballing career.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Wilshere has revealed his ex-England teammate Wayne Rooney was keen to bring him to Pride Park, however the 29-year-old turned him down.

“I did speak to Wazza [Rooney] actually in the summer,” Wilshere said.

“It was when Derby were under that embargo where they couldn’t buy anyone.

“I went to Como instead, but I did think about it but it wasn’t for me.”

When asked my talkSPORT host Andy Goldstein whether he would consider a move to Pride Park if Rooney was to approach him again, Wilshere said: “I don’t know.

“It depends what comes up in January.

“I played in the Championship last year and I did actually enjoy it. It’s a tough league. I don’t think it suited my style of play.”

The Arsenal academy product has struggled since his departure from the Emirates Stadium in 2018, spending two years with West Ham United before joining Bournemouth in January of this year - making less than 40 appearances for both clubs.

Wilshere has previously opened up to The Athletic about his current struggles finding a new club - how it has affected his mental health and how he has considered retiring from playing football.