The Declan Rice new Arsenal contract saga just went from whisper to roar. Arsenal are champions, Arteta is staying, and now the heartbeat of the midfield is next in line. According to BBC Sport, the England midfielder is close to agreeing a new long-term deal at the Emirates, and Gunners fans can finally breathe out.
What BBC Sport Is Reporting
Talks are at an advanced stage, and BBC Sport first revealed in March that negotiations were under way. So this has been a slow burn, not a sudden sprint. Rice’s current deal expires at the end of next season, which means Arsenal are acting early instead of waiting for trouble. Smart champions do exactly that.
Rice and Saka: The Wage Conversation
Here is the headline number. Rice reportedly earns 240,000 pounds a week, and the new deal would put him level with Bukayo Saka, the club’s top earner at about 350,000 pounds a week. That is a serious raise and an even more serious statement. Arsenal are telling the football world that Rice sits at the very top of the pecking order.
Why Rice Is Worth Every Penny
Arsenal paid West Ham 105 million pounds in July 2023, and the 27-year-old has since made 165 appearances and helped end the club’s 22-year wait for a Premier League title. That price tag raised eyebrows once. Not anymore.
He also owns 80 England caps, and Thomas Tuchel has previously ranked him among the best midfielders in Europe. Rice wins the ball, drives forward, spreads the play and chips in at the other end. That is a whole engine room in one player.
Arteta First, Rice Next
The timing is no accident. Mikel Arteta’s new four-year contract was announced on Wednesday, and now the club is working to lock down another pillar of the title-winning side. Manager sorted, midfield general nearly sorted. When a champion refuses to break up its core, rivals should start sweating.
What Happens Next?
Let us be clear: nothing is signed yet. BBC Sport says close, not done. Still, the direction is obvious. Rice is expected to be involved when Arsenal host Leeds at 12:30 BST on Saturday, so the Emirates faithful may get to cheer their midfield general while the ink dries. Football is unpredictable, so we will update this post as news breaks.
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