Rice close to new long-term Arsenal deal on Saka-level wages - BBC

📰 BBC Sport reports that title-winner Declan Rice is close to a new long-term Arsenal deal. 📌 Key points ✍️ BBC Sport says Rice is close to agreeing a new long-term contract. 📅 His current deal runs until the end of next season; talks began in March. 💷 His reported £240,000 a week would rise to Saka's level (about £350,000). 🏆 Rice was central to last season's first league title in 22 years. 🤝 The news comes straight after Arteta's new deal until 2030. 📝 What happened ✍️ BBC Sport reported on 7 October that Rice is close to agreeing a new long-term contract. The BBC revealed in March that talks were under way, and the process is now at an advanced stage. The length of the new deal has not been disclosed. 💷 Rice is reported to earn around £240,000 a week. A new deal would put him on a par with the club's best earner, Bukayo Saka, who is believed to earn about £350,000 a week. 🏟️ Rice joined from West Ham for £105m in July 2023 and has made 165 appearances for Arsenal, with 21 goals and 33 assists according to Arseblog. He has 80 England caps, and Thomas Tuchel has called him one of "the best midfielders in Europe". 🤝 On the same day, Arsenal announced a new four-year deal for Mikel Arteta to 2030. Tying down their key midfielder next would keep the core of the title-winning side together. 📊 By the numbers • Reported wages: about £240,000 a week, rising to Saka's level (about £350,000) • 165 Arsenal appearances (21 goals, 33 assists per Arseblog) • £105m fee in 2023 • 80 England caps 🔭 Why it matters At 27, Rice is the centre of Arteta's side. Signing him long-term well before his contract runs down keeps other big clubs at bay. Once it is official, Arsenal will have both their manager and their midfield leader locked in. Arsenal return to league action at home to unbeaten Leeds on 10 October.