Jack Wilshere likened to Lionel Messi by the man who knows him best

West Ham can expect a player like Lionel Messi next season as Jack Wilshere's move across London has been confirmed.

After it was made clear that he was not in the plans of new Arsenal manager Unai Emery, Wilshere began talking to clubs and, on Monday, he officially signed a three-year deal with the Hammers. The midfielder grew up supporting West Ham and while it would have presumably been a difficult decision to end his 17-year association with Arsenal, moving on is what's best for his playing career. The 26-year-old will hope to revive his career under Manuel Pellegrini while his former manager, Arsene Wenger, has showered Wilshere with praise by likening him to two of the most exciting players on the planet. "Jack Wilshere is a playmaker," Wenger told beIN SPORTS. "He is a bit of a Messi type. He makes me think about Mbappe because I played him at 17 years of age because he was an exceptional talent. "Unfortunately he has been stopped very early by big injuries to his ankle, and I believe that now he's come out of it. He's an exceptional player -- he can pass people, he can give a final ball, he has a fantastic football brain. "He is a great guy as well because when you have gone through what he has gone through medically you need to be mentally very strong. He can take pressure, believe me."