Arsenal begin talks to extend Declan Rice’s contract

Arsenal have opened formal contract extension talks with midfielder Declan Rice, as the Premier League leaders move to tie down one of their most influential players to a long-term deal that would keep him at the Emirates well into his peak years.

Rice, 27, joined Arsenal from West Ham in 2023 for a reported £105 million and has quickly established himself as one of Europe’s top midfielders, making 102 Premier League appearances and earning 72 caps for England since his arrival.

The midfielder’s current deal with the north London club expires in two years, although Arsenal hold an option to extend it by a further 12 months. Arsenal intend to ensure that Rice spends his peak years at the Emirates and that his deal reflects his status at the club. Discussions are focused on a new arrangement that would run until at least beyond 2030.

A significant pay rise is central to the negotiations. Rice currently earns a reported £240,000 per week. The proposed deal will see a salary increase, making him one of Arsenal’s top earners. For context, teammate Bukayo Saka recently put pen to paper on a four-and-a-half-year deal worth a minimum of £300,000 per week, setting a benchmark for the club’s top performers.

ALSO READ: Arteta receives injury boost as Saliba, Trossard, Calafiori return to Arsenal training

Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta touched base with Rice’s camp last year to confirm the club’s intention to open talks in 2026, a move that was received positively by the player’s representatives. Discussions are at an early stage, and no timeline has been set for completion, but Arsenal are keen to ensure Rice commits his prime years to the club.

Rice has evolved under Arteta from a defensive anchor into a dynamic box-to-box force, his ability to dictate the tempo and break up play serving as the engine behind Arsenal’s dominant style of football this season. He has made 38 appearances across all competitions this season, notching four goals and 10 assists.

The club has been extending contracts of key players over the past year, with William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães, Myles Lewis-Skelly, and Ethan Nwaneri all signing extensions. The club is also in talks with Jurrien Timber over a new deal, while David Raya and Leandro Trossard have also been given improved contracts recently.

Arsenal currently lead the Premier League by seven points, and tying down Rice would further reinforce the club’s message to Europe’s elite that the Emirates has become a destination — not a stepping stone — for the world’s best players.