Jack Wilshere has revealed Manuel Pellegrini was behind his decision to join West Ham United.

The midfielder was a free agent after his current expired at Arsenal.

And the 26-year-old says he wanted to play under Pellegrini because he reminded him of former Gunners boss Arsene Wenger.

"I spoke with [Pellegrini] and he was a big influence, it was a big reason – wanting to be part of the way he wanted to play football," he told BT Sport.

"[His style] is similar [to Wenger's] because they both want the ball and they both want to win the ball back high and press, and when they get the ball back they want to play football and open teams up.

"Some things are different but I guess the way both managers want to play on the front foot with the ball is quite similar."