Declan Rice closes in on new £350,000-per-week Arsenal contract as talks reach advanced stage
Declan Rice is close to agreeing a new long-term Arsenal contract that would lift his salary to around £350,000 per week, according to BBC Sport. Negotiations, revealed in March, are now said to be at an advanced stage, with the midfielder set to be rewarded for his role in the club's title-winning season.
- Player: Declan Rice, Arsenal midfielder
- Deal: New long-term contract, reportedly close to being agreed
- Salary: Set to rise from £240,000 per week to about £350,000 per week
- Comparison: Would bring Rice level with Bukayo Saka, believed to earn around £350,000 a week
- Current contract: Runs until the end of next season
- Stage: Talks described as being at an advanced stage
Deal details
Arsenal are tying down their elite talent early, and Rice is the priority. The club began negotiations some time ago; BBC Sport reported in March that discussions were underway, and the process has now moved to an advanced stage.
Rice's existing £240,000-per-week salary is set to increase significantly, bringing him level with Bukayo Saka, who is believed to earn about £350,000 a week. His current contract runs until the end of next season, meaning Arsenal are acting well before any pressure point.
The timing is notable. The update arrives just after Mikel Arteta signed a new four-year contract with the Premier League champions, reinforcing a summer of stability at the Emirates.
The numbers
- Transfer fee (2023): £105m from West Ham United in July 2023
- Appearances for Arsenal: 165
- Current salary: £240,000 per week
- Reported new salary: Around £350,000 per week
- England caps: 80 since switching allegiance from the Republic of Ireland in 2019
What was said
"Crucial player for the Gunners"
The phrase captures why Arsenal are moving now. Rice has become central to everything the side does, and the club are treating him accordingly.
Why Arsenal are rewarding Rice now
Rice has made 165 appearances since arriving from West Ham for £105m in July 2023, and he helped Arsenal end their 22-year wait for a Premier League title last term. That body of work explains the urgency. The club are not reacting to external interest; they are protecting their engine room.
Thomas Tuchel has previously described Rice as one of the "best midfielders in Europe". Internationally, he has earned 80 England caps since switching allegiance from the Republic of Ireland in 2019. Arsenal are securing a proven operator in a premium position.
Matching Saka's salary sends a clear message: performance at the highest level is rewarded. With Arteta signed for four more years and Rice close to following, the spine of the side remains intact. Arsenal have sometimes looked reactive in the market, but this feels proactive.
Talking points
- Paying Rice £350,000 a week puts him alongside Saka at the top of the wage bill — is that the right benchmark, or should the club stagger rises more carefully?
- Arsenal's proactive approach contrasts with past windows; doing this before the season starts avoids the distraction of a contract saga running into autumn.
- Rice's value is not just defensive. The numbers show 165 appearances in roughly two seasons — a durability that justifies the investment.
- With Arteta tied down for four years and Rice close, the message to rivals is that the champions intend to keep their core together.
What happens next
The next step is formal completion of the contract. Once signed, Rice's salary will rise to around £350,000 per week, and Arsenal will have secured their most important midfielder well before the end of next season, when his current deal was due to expire.
Frequently asked questions
Is Declan Rice close to signing a new Arsenal contract?
Yes. According to BBC Sport, Rice is close to agreeing a new long-term deal, with negotiations at an advanced stage.
How much will Declan Rice earn per week at Arsenal?
Rice's reported £240,000-per-week salary is set to increase significantly, bringing him level with Bukayo Saka, who is believed to earn about £350,000 a week.
When does Declan Rice's current Arsenal contract expire?
His current contract runs until the end of next season.
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