Declan Rice Nears New Long-Term Contract with Arsenal

Declan Rice is reportedly close to agreeing on a new long-term contract with Arsenal, according to sources from BBC Sport. The England midfielder has established himself as an integral part of the Gunners’ squad since his transfer from West Ham United in July 2023 for a fee of £105 million.

Currently, Rice’s contract is set to expire at the end of the next season. However, discussions regarding an extension have been ongoing, and the process has now reached an advanced stage. The 27-year-old has made a significant impact at Arsenal, featuring in 165 matches and playing a pivotal role in the club’s recent success, including their first Premier League title in 22 years.

As part of the new deal, Rice is expected to receive a substantial increase to his current salary of £240,000 per week, aligning him with Arsenal’s top earners, including Bukayo Saka, who reportedly earns around £350,000 weekly.

Despite withdrawing from Thomas Tuchel’s England squad prior to the recent three-week training camp, Rice has accumulated 80 caps for the national team since switching his allegiance from the Republic of Ireland in 2019. His performances have drawn praise from various quarters, with Tuchel previously describing him as one of the “best midfielders in Europe.”

Rice is anticipated to be in the squad for Arsenal’s upcoming Premier League match against Leeds United on Saturday at 12:30 BST. This news follows the announcement of Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’s new four-year contract, further solidifying the club’s ambitions moving forward.

Source: This original report was produced by WTGO Newsroom using verified reporting from BBC Sport.