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Wilshere preferred to stay in England, says Roma chief

Picture Supplied by Action Images - Jack Wilshere (Reuters)
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Roma missed out on the chance to sign Wilshere on deadline day, with the Englishman instead choosing to join Bournemouth.

Picture Supplied by Action Images - Jack WilshereRoma claim Wilshere was determined to stay in England at the end of the transfer window

Roma director Mauro Baldissoni has told TeleRadioStereo that a preference to stay in England was the main motivation for Jack Wilshere’s decision to join Premier League outfit Bournemouth on loan, Gazzetta Dello Sport has reported.

Wilshere completed a shock temporary move to the south coast on Wednesday in one of the most significant deadline day deals.

Arsenal's Jack Wilshere applauds fans after the game

The move comes after parent club Arsenal said they would be willing to let the 24-year-old, who has suffered a number of recent injury woes, go out on loan in order to get regular first-team football.

Reports suggested Roma were prepared to make an offer that would see Wilshere move to the Stadio Olimpico on a two-year loan (Express), only for the player to instead opt for a move to the Cherries.

General view of the Stadio Olimpico

And Mauro Baldissoni, Roma director, admits the club were seriously interested in the midfielder, but insists they will not dwell on their failure to land the Englishman and that they were otherwise happy with their dealings in the summer window.

According to Gazzetta Dello Sport, Baldissoni told TeleRadioStereo: “The plan was to improve the defence and we did that.

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe

“Towards the end of the market we saw the chance to take an opportunity. We had identified Wilshere, who could’ve suited us, but he decided to remain in England. For the rest, we did what we needed to do.”