Rice close to agreeing new Arsenal deal

Declan Rice is close to agreeing a new long-term Arsenal contract, sources have told BBC Sport.The England midfielder has become a crucial player for the Gunners since his arrival from West Ham for £105m in July 2023.His current deal expires at the end of next season but BBC Sport revealed in March that talks over a new contract were underway with the process now at an advanced stage.The 27-year-old has made more than 150 starts for Arsenal, and is also a key player for England, with manager Thomas Tuchel saying this week he is one of the best midfielders in Europe.Rice would receive a significant pay increase to his reported £240,000-per-week salary, putting him on a par with the club's best earner Bukayo Saka, who is believed to earn about £350,000 a week.The news comes after Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta's new four-year deal with the Premier League champions was announced on Wednesday.