Declan Rice could soon receive a major reward for his outstanding contribution to Arsenal since joining the club in 2023.
The England midfielder is reportedly moving closer to a new contract with the Gunners, with the proposed agreement expected to significantly increase his weekly salary.
Arsenal are keen to secure the long-term future of one of the most important players in Mikel Arteta’s project. Although Rice still has a contract until the end of next season, negotiations have already progressed and both sides are believed to be getting closer to an agreement.
If completed, the new deal would place Rice among Arsenal’s highest-paid players.
Arsenal Make Progress in Declan Rice Contract Talks
Rice joined Arsenal from West Ham in 2023 for a reported £105 million fee.
Since arriving at the Emirates Stadium, he has quickly become an important figure in the midfield and a key part of Arteta’s plans.
Across all competitions, Rice has made 165 appearances for Arsenal, scoring 21 goals and providing 33 assists.
Those numbers underline his influence since making the move to north London.
Arsenal now want to make sure that influence continues for the long term.
The club has reportedly made significant progress in negotiations with Rice, with discussions that had already been underway now reaching an advanced stage.
The potential new agreement would provide Arsenal with greater certainty over the future of one of their most valuable players.
For Rice, meanwhile, the proposed contract would represent recognition of his importance to the team.
Declan Rice Could Receive a Huge Pay Rise
The biggest change under the proposed new contract would be Rice’s salary.
The midfielder currently earns around £240,000 per week at Arsenal. Under the expected new agreement, that figure could rise to approximately £350,000 per week.
That would put Rice on the same weekly salary as Bukayo Saka, who is currently Arsenal’s highest-paid player.
Saka previously signed a new four-year contract with the club in February, securing his own long-term future in north London.
The potential salary structure for Rice would therefore represent a significant change.
Key details surrounding the proposed deal include:
- Current weekly salary: around £240,000
- Potential new salary: around £350,000
- Current contract: runs until the end of next season
- Arsenal arrival: 2023
- Previous club: West Ham
- Transfer fee: £105 million
- Career appearances for Arsenal: 165 across all competitions
- Goals: 21
- Assists: 33
The proposed increase reflects the level of responsibility Rice has taken on since arriving at Arsenal.
Rice Has Become Central to Arteta’s Arsenal
Rice’s importance to Arsenal goes beyond his statistics.
The England international has established himself as one of the central figures in Arteta midfield and has become an important part of the team’s overall structure.
His development at Arsenal has also coincided with the club competing for major honours.
Last season, Rice helped Arsenal win the Premier League title for the first time since 2004.
The Gunners also reached the Champions League final, although their European campaign ended with a defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on penalties.
Those achievements have strengthened Rice’s status within the Arsenal squad.
A new contract would therefore not simply be a financial reward. It would also reinforce his position as one of the central figures in the club’s long-term project.
Arteta’s New Contract Adds Further Stability
Rice’s potential contract extension comes at a time when Arsenal are also securing continuity in the managerial position.
Mikel Arteta has recently agreed to a new four-year contract, providing greater certainty over the direction of the team.
That decision could be important for Arsenal’s long-term planning.
With Arteta committed to the club and Rice potentially signing a new deal, Arsenal would be able to maintain two important parts of their current project.
The midfielder has already shown how important he can be under Arteta.
His ability to contribute in midfield, create opportunities and add goals makes him a valuable option for the Arsenal manager.
Keeping that profile of player at the club is therefore a major priority for the Gunners.
Rice Starts the New Season With More Contributions
Rice has also continued to play an important role at the beginning of the current campaign.
He has made seven appearances across all competitions so far and has provided two assists.
Both of those assists have come in the Premier League.
The numbers are another indication that Rice remains heavily involved in Arsenal’s plans.
While his primary responsibilities are in midfield, his contribution in the final third has also become increasingly valuable.
That broader influence is one of the reasons Arsenal are prepared to reward him with a significant improvement to his contract.
A New Deal Would Send a Clear Message
If Arsenal complete the proposed agreement, Rice would join Saka among the club’s top earners.
It would also send a clear message about how highly the club values the midfielder.
Since arriving from West Ham, Rice has developed into a key player in Arteta’s team and has already played a significant role in Arsenal’s pursuit of major trophies.
The club now appears determined to ensure his future remains at the Emirates Stadium.
For Rice, the proposed salary increase would be another milestone in his Arsenal career.
For the Gunners, meanwhile, securing his long-term future would provide further stability as Arteta continues building a squad capable of competing for domestic and European honours.
With negotiations reportedly entering an advanced stage, Arsenal supporters will now be waiting for the final agreement to be completed.
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