Arsenal are closing in on a new long-term contract for Declan Rice, with talks expected to accelerate during the September international break.FootballTransfers reports that the Gunners are working to finalise the details of a fresh agreement for the 27-year-old, whose current contract runs until 2028. Arsenal also hold an option to extend the existing deal by a further year.The club are nevertheless keen to secure Rice on improved terms rather than rely on the extension clause. FootballTransfers understands that the England midfielder is set to receive a substantial pay rise under a proposed five-year contract, with his salary expected to be around £280,000 per week.The report comes after Arsenal had already identified Rice, along with other key members of Mikel Arteta’s squad, as players they want to secure for the long term. TEAMtalk reported earlier this month that the club were preparing to open renewal talks with Rice, Martin Ødegaard and Jurrien Timber, all of whom were under contract until 2028.Rice is currently away from the England squad after withdrawing from Thomas Tuchel’s group for the upcoming Nations League fixtures. His absence is understood to be part of efforts to manage his workload after an exceptionally demanding previous campaign.Arsenal close in on new long-term contract for Declan RiceThe midfielder made 69 appearances for Arsenal and England last season and played through injury problems during the campaign. He subsequently featured throughout England’s World Cup run, prompting further attention on his workload.Arsenal’s efforts to secure Rice’s future come shortly after Arteta agreed a new contract with the club. The manager’s renewal, reported this week, is part of a wider effort to maintain the core of the squad that delivered Arsenal’s first Premier League title since 2004 last season.Sky Sports has also reported that Rice is prepared to commit his long-term future to Arsenal, with reports indicating that a new contract could keep him at the Emirates until at least 2031.Meanwhile, FootballTransfers reports that Arsenal are also set to hold discussions with Ben White over a possible contract extension. The defender has two years remaining on his current deal, although he is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury.For Arsenal, the focus during the international break is therefore not only on preparing for the next phase of their title defence but also on securing the futures of players central to Arteta’s plans.Read more – Estevao has belief that he can regain Chelsea placeSee also – La Liga clubs monitor Alejandro Garnacho amid Aston Villa strugglesFollow the Football Faithful on Social Media:Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTokThe post Arsenal close in on new long-term contract for Declan Rice appeared first on The Football Faithful.