Arsenal 27yo close to new long-term deal

Arsenal 27yo close to new long-term deal Declan Rice is close to agreeing a new contract with Arsenal, with the Gunners looking to tie him down for the long term. Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images Sami Mokbel reported for the BBC in midweek that Declan Rice is close to agreeing a new long-term deal with Arsenal , with talks underway since March and the process now at an advanced stage. Mokbel writes that Rice would receive a significant increase on his current £240,000-a-week deal, putting him in the region of £350,000-a-week. In further good news, Mokbel also reported that Rice is expected to be involved with Arsenal this weekend, as the Gunners face Leeds United , despite the midfielder pulling out of the international break. Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images The injury update isn’t hugely surprising, as previous reports had already suggested that Rice’s withdrawal was more to do with load management than a new injury. Rice completed his last appearance for Arsenal against Brighton and Hove Albion , and it seems he’ll be back for the very next club fixture this weekend. That’s good news for Mikel Arteta , as Arsenal have games in every weekend and midweek between now and the November international break. Photo by James Fearn/Getty Images Rice has been struggling with a niggling neural hamstring issue in recent months, and he seemingly needed the time off to help deal with that. But when the 27-year-old is fit to play, as he usually is, he’s a big part of Arsenal’s successes. Getting the England midfielder back to full fitness and signed up to a new contract would be a major boost for the club. Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images