Sources: Arsenal to make Declan Rice 'announcement'
Arsenal are pushing to tie Declan Rice down to a new contract after agreeing a deal with Mikel Arteta and are expected to make an announcement soon about a breakthrough in talks, sources have told Football Insider.
Rice is approaching the final 18 months of his Arsenal contract, with expires in June 2028.
The 27-year-old has gone from strength to strength in North London since joining from West Ham in 2023.
He was a regular in the Gunners' Premier League-winning campaign, registering nine goal contributions in 36 appearances from midfield.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast, Arsenal are in the final throes of agreeing fresh terms with Rice after extending Arteta's contract.
The Gunners announced earlier this week that their boss had penned a new deal to 2030, with reports claiming that he is now the highest-paid boss in the Premier League.
Declan Rice's new contract on the agenda for Arsenal after Mikel Arteta deal
Rice is in line for a significant pay-rise as he prepares to pen a new deal for the first time since signing a five-year contract in 2023.
Arsenal reportedly opened talks with his representatives back in March, with discussions now at an advanced stage following a strong start to the new season.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: "It's in the pipeline for Arsenal to try and get this deal done for Declan Rice. He's become such an influential player for club and for country since joining Arsenal.
"It's a case of Arsenal, from a position of strength, now trying to tie down their best players to new contracts. Declan Rice will be fully worthy of it as well, so it makes sense for Arsenal to tie him down to a new deal. There should be an agreement and announcement soon."
Viktor Gyokeres makes Arsenal exit decision amid club concerns
Gyokeres played his part last season but did not become as important to Arteta as many expected him to following his big-money move from Sporting CP.
The Swedish striker has remained a backup to Kai Havertz at the start of this term, leading to rumours around his future at the club.
Sources have exclusively revealed to Football Insider that Gyokeres has no plans to leave Arsenal and wants to keep fighting for his place in the starting eleven.
He could get the chance he craves this weekend with Havertz out injured as Leeds visit the Emirates.