Arsenal set to match Bukayo Saka’s wage with Rice’s £350,000 deal

Declan Rice is close to agreeing a new long‑term contract with Arsenal, the Gunners’ England midfielder who has become indispensable since his £105m move from West Ham in July 2023. The deal would see him earn £350,000 per week, a significant rise on his current £240,000 wage. Securing Rice now would plug a potential gap as his existing contract expires at the end of next season.

Background and impact

Since arriving from West Ham, the 27‑year‑old has made 165 appearances for Arsenal and helped the club end a 22‑year wait for a Premier League title last term. His performances have cemented his status as a crucial player for the Gunners.

Internationally, Rice has amassed 80 caps for England after switching allegiance from the Republic of Ireland in 2019. He withdrew from Thomas Tuchel’s England squad before the recent three‑week camp, though Tuchel has praised him as one of the best midfielders in Europe.

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Contract terms and future outlook

revealed in March that talks over a new contract were under way and are now at an advanced stage. The proposed weekly wage of £350,000 would bring Rice level with Bukayo Saka, the club’s best earner. The new agreement would replace his current deal, which runs out at the end of the next season.

Rice is expected to be involved when Arsenal host Leeds in the English top flight on Saturday, and the news follows Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta’s four‑year deal with the Premier League champions announced on Wednesday.

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Finalising the contract would lock in Rice’s services for the foreseeable future, but the agreement still awaits formal signing.