Sports08 October, 20262 min read
Declan Rice Nears New Long-Term Arsenal Contract After Advanced Negotiations
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Declan Rice is close to signing a new long-term Arsenal contract, with talks advanced. The renewal would equal Arsenal's highest wage, matching Bukayo Saka's pay.
Rice nears new deal
Declan Rice is close to agreeing a new long-term Arsenal contract, with BBC Sport saying sources have told it that negotiations are at an advanced stage. Arsenal signed Rice from West Ham United in July 2023 for a fee of £105 million, and BBC Sport says his current deal expires at the end of next season. BBC Sport adds that Rice has made 165 appearances for Arsenal and helped the club end their 22-year wait for a Premier League title last term.
BBC Sport also says Rice would receive a significant increase to his reported £240,000-per-week salary, putting him on a par with Bukayo Saka, who is believed to be paid about £350,000 a week. Arsenal’s new four-year deal for manager Mikel Arteta was announced on Wednesday, and BBC Sport says the Rice news comes after that announcement.
Wage parity and praise
Arsenal is expected to move Rice’s wages toward the club’s highest level, with the BBC describing a reported £240,000-per-week salary that would rise to match Bukayo Saka’s about £350,000 a week. Thomas Tuchel has previously lauded Rice as one of the "best midfielders in Europe," and BBC Sport says Tuchel has also previously praised him in that way. Arteta described Rice’s importance to the team last season, quoting Arteta saying, "He has earned the right to increase that role, to be more and more important, to be very present in everything that we do."
Rice has made 165 appearances for Arsenal, contributing 21 goals and 33 assists while helping them win a first Premier League title in 22 years last season. BBC Sport says Rice withdrew from Thomas Tuchel's England squad before the recent three-week camp, while also noting Rice has amassed 80 caps since switching his international allegiance in 2019.
Next match and timing
BBC Sport says Rice is expected to be involved when Arsenal host Leeds in the English top flight on Saturday at 12:30 BST. Rice has made 165 appearances since moving to the Emirates, scoring 21 goals and providing 33 assists, and it frames the extension as a way to keep the midfield heartbeat in north London. Arsenal is making strides at the Emirates Stadium to tie Rice down to a new long-term contract, and the proposed terms would raise his wages to around £350,000 per week.
Arsenal currently sit second in the Premier League table with 12 points from their opening five matches, and the Gunners trail early leaders Manchester City by three points. Arsenal will look to bounce back when they host Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday after a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Brighton in their previous outing.