Arsenal near new long-term deal with midfielder Declan Rice
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Arsenal are in the final stages of agreeing a new long-term contract with midfielder Declan Rice.
The England international is a key part of the club's Premier League title defence.
Background
Declan Rice is an Arsenal midfielder and England international, formerly of West Ham, now 27. He joined Arsenal in summer 2023 for a fee of more than £105m on a deal running to 2028, with the club holding an option to extend to 2029. Talks over fresh terms opened in March 2026, and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has reported they are now close to completion. Rice currently earns £240k per week, and the new deal would place him alongside manager Mikel Arteta and teammates Bukayo Saka and William Saliba as Arsenal figures who have signed new contracts over the past year.
How it unfolded
- 2023 summerRice moved to Arsenal for a fee of more than £105m.
- Jul 2023Rice signed a deal lasting until 2028, with Arsenal holding an option to extend it until 2029.
- Mar 2026Talks over a new Rice deal opened.
- Oct 15, 2026Rice trained in Dubai during the international break to get fit for a crunch run of games.
- Oct 20, 2026Fabrizio Romano revealed Arsenal and Rice are in the "final stages" of agreeing a new long-term deal.
- Oct 21, 2026ESPN reported, per Fabrizio Romano, that Arsenal are in the final stages of negotiations with Rice over a new long-term contract.
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano said Arsenal are "advancing very well" to keep one of the team's crucial players long term and are optimistic about getting it done.
- Expert
- Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag said he pleaded with the club to sign Rice and Harry Kane, and believes the United hierarchy could have done more to bring the England duo to Old Trafford.
Still unverified
The reported rise in Rice's salary to around £350k per week under the fresh terms is described as "as per reports" and has not been confirmed by the club.