Arteta admits £200k-a-week deal is close – £80m star told he would flourish at Arsenal – agent ready for Arsenal talks

Emmanuel Frimpong reckons that “top class” West Ham star Declan Rice would “flourish” playing for Arsenal .

Rice is one of the most sought-after young midfielders in world football and his next move is a subject of much speculation, with a number of top clubs very much interested in a deal for the player.

Rice’s current deal with the Irons runs until the summer of 2024 and the club have the option of another 12 months. But the summer window offers West Ham the last realistic chance of securing a mammoth fee – of £80million-plus – for their prize asset – meaning that they decided to keep hold in the January window.

But with reports that Arsenal are still keen – and the reports that The Gunners have made the England midfielder their top summer target – Frimpong reckons he would be keen on a move to the Emirates.

He told Midnite: “I think Rice is a top, top class player and he proved that in the World cup.

“He impressed me more than I thought in the World Cup and he showed me that he had very good technical abilities, good awareness and has good pace to recover when needed.

“I feel that, in an Arsenal shirt and with better players around him, he will be able to flourish.

“So we need to get into the Champions League to be able to attract players like Rice. Who wouldn’t want to play in the Champions League in London, for Arsenal?”

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Look, it is time for Rice to leave West Ham, the fans know it, the club knows it and the player himself knows that it is time to join a big club that is playing Champions League football and competing for the big titles.

We do not now if Arsenal will get the man – but he would flourish in that team – if he is able to get ahead of the impressive Thomas Partey and Jorginho

Asensio agent to talk –

The agents of Arsenal linked Marco Asensio will jet in to London next week to discuss the possibility of a move to the Premier League, according to reports.

Asensio joined Real Madrid from Real Mallorca in 2014 and has taken in 250 appearances for the Blancos – scoring 52 goals recorded and collecting three La Liga titles and three Champions League crowns.

However – there has been alot of speculation about his future at the club and whether or not he is part of Carlo Ancelotti’s long-term plans – which has alerted a number of top level clubs.

It is no secret that Mikel Arteta and Arsenal are massive fans of the man and have been linked with a move for the last few transfer windows – and it was believed that they would get a chance to sign the Spaniard in January or at the end of the season.

According to the Mirror, The 27-year-old’s future at Real Madrid is still in doubt – with his contract expiring in the summer – and now his agent will speak to clubs about a move to the Premier League.

It has been claimed he is looking for an increase on his £118,000-per-week salary, as well as a four-year contract.

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Asensio is a brilliantly gifted midfielder – there is no doubt about that and if he does come onto the market – he will be hot commodity. He is achieving everything he has ever wanted at Madrid – and winning trophies on a yearly basis – but if he is not part of the plans at the Bernabeu, then it is time to leave.

It will be interesting to see just what he does next as there will be a few cubs interested – but the way that Arsenal play, the style that Mikel Arteta employs, Asensio would give the attack a bit more threat.

Saka deal close

After sealing the future of Gabriel Martinelli, Arsenal are now working on making sure that Bukayo Saka is signed up to a new deal.

After months of speculation and rumours – the Gunners ended rumours that Martinelli could depart the club at the end of the season by making sure that he signed a massive contract which will keep him at the Emirates until 2027.

He is one of the stars of the future at the Emirates and a player that Arsenal are very keen to develop into a world class star – but Saka is another player that club are determined to keep.

Over the past few seasons Saka has developed from a wonderkid into one of the most dangerous players in the Premier League – and he is still very young, despite all his qualities.

However – he is one of the clubs lowest earning stars and Arsenal have been working on a new contract for some time now – but have not been able to agree a new contract with Saka.

But the club are believed to be in talks with the star over extending his deal at the Emirates Stadium – and Mikel Arteta has revealed that he is keen to make sure that Saka follows Martinelli’s contract.

Arteta said: “Part of the plan obviously is to extend the contracts of our biggest talents at the club and commit them to the future.

“We are trying to do that, we have started with Gabi and that is good news, the others will be done when we can and we have to agree on that.

“I see everyone really happy and really willing to continue at the club but we have to meet everyone’s expectations and timing is key on that.”

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It is just a matter of time before Saka signs that new deal, he needs it, he deserves it and fans will go crazy if they doesn’t get the terms he desires.