Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is ready to let teenage midfielder Jack Wilshere go on loan to Burnley.
The 17-year-old has made two first-team appearances and been a part of Arsenal's back-up squad this season as they have battled injuries. Wenger admitted the idea was floated by Burnley manager Owen Coyle before the 1-1 midweek draw at Turf Moor.
"It is possible, with one condition, that he plays. Wilshere needs to play. Burnley is a good club which I respect. They play good football, but Jack must want to do it," said Wenger.
"I like the idea, but at the moment we are a bit short. Jack is in the squad nearly every game."
It is one of the few deals Wenger expects to be doing in a January transfer window he warned would be anything but busy.
Wenger said: "People don't realise there is no money in football, in Europe and in general. We live in dreamland in football. If you look at the number of clubs who struggle in the Premier League and in the Championship in England then it's time for us to get a wake-up call.
"In England, in football, the financial situation overall is very poor. So do not expect a very busy transfer market.
"We found (Andrey) Arshavin last season and he was a good signing. Two years before it was (Emmanuel) Adebayor so we have made some good acquisitions in January. But it is more difficult than in the summer."
Wenger was speaking after finding out that Arsenal had been drawn against Porto in the last 16 of the Champions League.
The Gunners have faced the Portuguese champions in the Champions League in two of the last three seasons and Wenger said: "It is a 50-50 game. Porto are difficult to play against. The advantage is we have a second game at home. It's important we try to score away from home but it's a difficult draw. It's a cup game now. Difficult but feasible."
