Rice close to agreeing new Arsenal deal

Declan Rice is close to agreeing a new long-term contract with Arsenal, sources told BBC Sport on 7 October 2026. The report says negotiations have reached an advanced stage.

Rice joined Arsenal from West Ham for £105m in July 2023 and has become a crucial player for the club. His current deal expires at the end of next season, and BBC Sport revealed in March that talks over a new contract were under way.

The 27-year-old has made 165 appearances for Arsenal and helped the club end their 22-year wait for a Premier League title last term.

Rice would receive a significant increase to his reported £240,000-per-week salary, putting him on a par with the club's best earner Bukayo Saka, who is believed to be paid about £350,000 a week.

Rice withdrew from Thomas Tuchel's England squad before the recent three-week camp and has amassed 80 caps since switching his international allegiance from the Republic of Ireland in 2019; Tuchel has also previously lauded him one of the "best midfielders in Europe".

The news follows the announcement on Wednesday that Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta had signed a new four-year deal with the Premier League champions.

Rice is expected to be involved for Arsenal when they host Leeds in the English top flight on Saturday (12:30 BST).