Arsenal are increasingly confident they will see off competition from other clubs to sign Declan Rice, according to the Evening Standard.
There continues to be speculation over the future of the England midfielder, who has been tipped to leave West Ham this summer.
Chelsea have been linked with Rice, as have Manchester United and Manchester City, but more recently there have been reports that Arsenal lead the race to sign him from the Hammers.
The Standard suggest Arsenal believe they will be able to do a deal with West Ham this summer.
Former midfielder Wilshere, who played for both clubs, is convinced Gunners boss Mikel Arteta would get the best out of Rice.
“He’s a midfielder who can do anything,” Wilshere recently said on Sky Sports News.
“Anyone who supports any club would want Dec to join. If I’m talking from a selfish point of view, in north London, I think he would be very good under Mikel’s watch.
“Mikel would develop him, bring him on even more and he would be massive for the team as well. I have had conversations with Dec and told him what he is doing is unbelievable. He is captain of a big Premier League club and is always learning.”
West Ham have made it clear they want to keep Rice, who has been a key player since breaking into their first team.
However, it seems inevitable that he will eventually move on in order to play Champions League football and challenge for major silverware.
Wilshere added: “You have to be respectful to West Ham, that is his club, but his future is in his hands and it’s very exciting for him because he’s got everything with him now and he’s picking up more and more, he’s growing into this man who could play anywhere.
“I’m looking forward to wherever he goes. I hope it is Arsenal, it would be a massive signing and a perfect fit.”