Arsenal fans were overjoyed on Monday when Hector Bellerin himself announced that he had signed a new deal with the club.
Speaking via a livestream on the club’s Facebook page, the rightback referred to Arsenal as his ‘home’ and explained how signing a new contract with the club that gave him his first opportunity felt like the right thing to do.
Reports claim that the deal is for six-and-a-half years, which is huge, although he did have three years left on his existing contract, which means he’s probably just taken it from now rather than the end of that. A new deal and subsequent payrise with immediate effect, rather than an extension. This is backed up by his Transfermarkt profile saying he’s with Arsenal until 2023.
He’s reported to be earning £100,000 a week.
Yess Gunners!! I've just signed my new contract. I'll be giving all my reaction right now on my Snapchat (@HectorBellerin) & a giveaway❤️ pic.twitter.com/xiZuD11wMD
— Héctor Bellerín (@HectorBellerin) November 21, 2016
Bellerin is the second of five players Arsenal are hoping to tie down, with Laurent Koscielny’s new deal thought to be announced within the next few days.
What’s more is that Mesut Ozil is said to be close to agreeing a huge new deal, with Arsenal presumably trying to tie Alexis Sanchez down to something similar.
Aaron Ramsey’s contract runs out in 2018 and with the likes of Real Madrid sniffing around, the club will be on the case soon I imagine.
Per Mertesacker, Yaya Sanogo and Santi Cazorla are also all out of contract at the end of the season and while I see the club – hopefully – trying to keep hold of Santi, I’m not sure about the other two.