Arsenal Close In On Record Breaking Contract For Declan Rice

Arsenal are closing in on a record-breaking contract renewal with 27-year-old Declan Rice to keep the England international in north London for a further five years. 

According to a recent report from Arsenal insider HandOfArsenal, the deal for Arsenal’s star midfielder has been in the pipeline for a while, but due to the nature of the contract and the numbers involved, it has taken ‘some time’. The new deal is set to be one of the biggest that Arsenal have ever awarded in their 140-year history. 

Arsenal signed Declan Rice in the summer of 2023, arriving from London rivals West Ham for a reported £105million, making him the club’s record transfer arrival. Early in his Arsenal career, there were several question marks from pundits and fans alike as to whether he would be worth the price tag, but he has more than justified his fee. The midfielder has scored 21 goals and provided 33 assists in 165 appearances in all competitions. 

Rice has simply transformed Arsenal since his arrival, being a key part of the reason that the Gunners have been competing on all four fronts, most notably reaching the Champions League Final in May 2026, as well as ending their 22-year wait for a Premier League trophy, eventually beating Manchester City by seven points to win the title last season. He has also been extremely influential in England’s uprise in competitive tournaments, most recently reaching a World Cup semi-final. 

Rice has now won back-to-back Player of the Season awards for Arsenal including in the title-winning campaign last season, as well as being named in the PFA Team of the Year for a third consecutive season, proving his worth to both Mikel Arteta and Arsenal. 

The midfielder is priceless to the way Arsenal play. He is able to do it all on the pitch and never shies away from any tasks he is set. He is able to break up opposition attacks, as well as carry the ball forward at pace, something that Arteta valued when the club first signed him.

The Englishman adds a goal threat from midfield, but also provides some of the best threat from dead balls in world football. Most memorably, his two free-kicks against Real Madrid in the 2024/25 Champions League quarter-final.

Arsenal will no doubt be relieved to get Rice’s renewal over the line following the confirmation of Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta's new 4 year contract, with hints of club captain Martin Ødegaard being the next player that the club will pursue to sign a new deal. 

Although no exact figures have been published, Declan Rice is currently reportedly on £240,000 per week at Arsenal, so there is a real expectation that his new deal could reach figures of up to £300,000 per week including performance-related bonuses.