Jack Wilshere is close to accepting Arsenal’s offer of a new contract after Arsene Wenger stressed that the situation needed to be resolved immediately.

Arsenal are understood to have offered Wilshere a reduced basic salary of about £90,000-a-week but the potential still to exceed his current £110,000 wages, depending on incentives that would be heavily related to his appearances.

Although Wilshere has produced his best form this season since a first serious injury in 2011, Arsenal believe it is reasonable for a new contract to reflect his injury record and the doubt that might raise about future availability.

Wilshere has made only 81 Premier League appearances for the club since the start of the 2011-12 season but has already played his most games for the club in a single campaign since 2013-14. Wilshere has never wanted to leave – even when Arsenal were ready to sell him last summer – and the main interest has come from foreign clubs.

“We try to make progress and I told you that many times for [Mesut] Ozil,” said Wenger. “I’m positive because I want him to stay. I do the maximum I can to make him happy.”