'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
West Ham United captain Declan Rice has expressed his delight over Bukayo Saka signing a new deal with Arsenal.
Saka, 21, has put pen to paper on a new four-year deal with the Gunners keeping him tied to the Emirates until 2027. His extraordinary season for Mikel Arteta's side has been rewarded with a new contract.
The young English winger's compatriot Rice, 24, has reacted to the news regarding Saka's new deal. He responded in the comments of a post from the Arsenal forward, writing:
“Congrats brother. Fully deserved (heart and clapping emoticons)."
Saka has scored 14 goals and provided 11 assists in 47 games across competitions. He was key to the Gunners' title challenge that saw them miss out to Manchester City with just two games of the season remaining.
Arteta's side's chances of challenging again next season may be aided by Rice's potential arrival. The West Ham midfielder is being heavily mooted for a switch to the Emirates.
Arsenal are reportedly willing to pay £90 million to secure Rice's signature. The Englishman will link up with his Three Lions teammate Saka if he does join. He has emerged as one of Europe's most highly regarded midfielders over the years.
Kevin Campbell has admitted Arsenal's Granit Xhaka has proven him wrong
Granit Xhaka looks set to leave Arsenal in the summer with transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reporting he is likely to join Bayer Leverkusen. The Swiss midfielder has enjoyed one of, if not, the best seasons of his spell with the Gunners.
The 30-year-old has been placed into a more advanced role by Arteta this season. It has resulted in seven goals and as many assists in 46 games. Campbell has admitted that Xhaka has proven him wrong amid his superb campaign. The former Gunners striker told the Highbury Squad YouTube channel that if he does depart it's likely down to family reasons:
“He’s had a superb season. He has. I think it’s a family thing if he does move."
Campbell then explained why Xhaka has had such an impact for Arsenal this season. He admits he didn't envision challenging for the title with the Swiss international in the side:
"Xhaka has had a great season because he’s been pushed further forward and that’s because Zinchenko has been pushed into the midfield. It’s really worked for him. I never thought a title charge and Granit Xhaka would be in the same sentence, but how wrong was I? He’s been sensational this season.”
Xhaka arrived in north London from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2016. He has endured a topsy-turvy time with the Gunners but is coming off the back of a stellar campaign.
