Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice is closing in on a new long-term contract with the Premier League champions, with discussions advancing significantly during the international break following his £105m move from West Ham in July 2023.
Declan Rice stands on the verge of committing his long-term future to Arsenal, with negotiations moving into an advanced stage. The 27-year-old England international has established himself as an indispensable figure at the Emirates Stadium since arriving from West Ham United for a substantial fee of £105 million.
Contract Talks Advance Following Arteta Extension
Discussions regarding a renewed agreement have been active for months, tracing back to exploratory talks that began in March. The current negotiations follow closely behind Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta agreeing to his own new four-year contract with the Premier League champions, signaling a concerted effort by the club to lock down its foundational leadership.
While his existing deal runs until the summer of 2028 and contains an option for an additional year, the club is eager to secure his services on improved terms rather than rely on the extension clause. Rice is expected to put pen to paper on a fresh five-year contract.
Substantial Pay Rise Matches Squad Standing
The proposed renewal brings a significant financial upgrade for the midfielder. Rice is set to see his current weekly wages jump from approximately £240,000 to around £280,000 per week under the terms being finalized.
That adjustment places his compensation close to the top tier of the Arsenal squad. The restructured wages put him on a comparable footing with teammate Bukayo Saka, who earns about £350,000 a week.
Rice Misses England Duty to Manage Heavy Workload
The contract developments coincide with a brief hiatus from international duty for the midfielder. Rice recently withdrew from Thomas Tuchel’s England squad ahead of the three-week camp, missing upcoming fixtures as part of a managed effort to handle an exceptionally heavy workload.
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That heavy load saw him make 69 combined appearances for club and country across a grueling campaign where he played through physical problems before featuring prominently in England’s World Cup run. Despite missing the recent international gathering, Rice has accumulated 80 caps since changing his international allegiance from the Republic of Ireland in 2019. His performances have drawn high praise from the national team setup, with Tuchel describing him as one of the best midfielders in Europe
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Broader Squad Planning at the Emirates Stadium
Securing Rice represents a central pillar in a wider strategy to protect the club’s core assets. Arsenal also hold contracts running until 2028 with several other established squad members, including club captain Martin Odegaard, forward Kai Havertz, and goalkeeper David Raya, though no final breakthroughs have been confirmed for those three cases yet.
Having made 165 total appearances for the Gunners and helped guide the club to its first league title since 2004 during the previous term, Rice remains central to the team’s ongoing defense of their domestic crown. The midfielder is expected to return to action when Arsenal host Leeds United in the Premier League.