Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere 'close' to agreeing free transfer to Real Betis

Real Betis believe they are "close" to striking an agreement with Jack Wilshere that would allow the Arsenal midfielder to join them on a free transfer when his contract runs out next summer, according to reports.

The Sun says Betis officials have made contact with Wilshere's representatives and are optimistic of their chances of signing the England midfielder, who is free to discuss a Bosman transfer with foreign clubs from January.

Wilshere's career has been hampered by injuries and the 25-year-old was left out of the England squad for the recent friendlies against Germany and Brazil.

He played his first game for Arsenal in more than a year in the 3-1 win over Cologne in the Europa League in September and made his first Premier League appearance of the season in the win over Everton last month after coming on as a substitute in the 77th minute.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has made it clear that he wants Wilshere's future sorted out before the transfer window reopens in January, with the club preferring to sell him if they cannot agree on a contract extension instead of losing him in a free transfer at the end of the season.

"I said many times that [Wilshere's contract] would be decided in December," Wenger was quoted as saying by The Guardian earlier this month.

"I wanted to give him six months not to think about that and see where we go. Do we want to clear it up before the January window? Yes."

Betis, who are managed by Quique Setien, are eighth in La Liga. Costa Rican forward Joel Campbell is currently on loan at the Spanish club from Arsenal.

Wilshere could opt to move to Betis in January in search of regular first-team football and enhance his chances of being picked to represent England at next summer's World Cup in Russia.

Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate warned earlier this month that he would not be able to pick Wilshere if he is not playing regular football at Arsenal.