Alex Iwobi agrees new five-year Arsenal deal and snubs interest from Lazio
The Nigerian international has been in talks with the Gunners about a new contract since the turn of the year, but things went on the backburner while Unai Emery replaced Arsene Wenger
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ALEX IWOBI has agreed a new long-term deal at Arsenal.
The Gunners academy product has snubbed interest from Lazio and will sign a new five-year contract worth around £70,000-a-week.
The 22-year-old will put pen to paper when the squad return from their pre-season trip to the Far East after their game against Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday.
Talks over a new deal began last December, despite the Nigerian international penning a five-year deal in October 2016.
SunSport understands Arsenal wanted a new deal agreed before the World Cup, however, talks went on the backburner while the club looked to replace Arsene Wenger.
Talks with new boss Unai Emery have been positive and Iwobi has been assured he will be part of the Spanish coach’s new regime in North London.
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And the bumper new deal more than doubling his money is a sign of Iwobi’s status at the Emirates and how highly Emery rates the attacking midfielder.
Iwobi made his debut in the defeat to Sheffield Wednesday in League Cup in 2015 and scored his first goal at Everton five months later.
He went on to make 24 appearances that season and made his international bow for Nigeria.
Last season Iwobi made 40 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal and scored three goals.
The Gunners face Atletico Madrid in Singapore tomorrow followed by PSG on Saturday in the same stadium.
Chelsea are up next at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on August 1, before a trip to the Friends Arena in Sweden to play Lazio three days later.
Emery will get his first taste of Premier League action when he goes head-to-head with Pep Guardiola and Manchester City on August 12.