Arteta confirms Declan Rice contract extension is close as Arsenal near £350k-a-week deal

Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Declan Rice is on the verge of signing a new long-term contract at Arsenal, with the England midfielder set to earn up to £350,000 per week including bonuses — a significant uplift on his existing deal and a figure that would place him alongside top earner Bukayo Saka.

Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s trip to Anfield, Arteta left little doubt about the direction of talks. “Yes, my feeling is that he is very happy here,” the Arsenal manager said. “Every conversation I have with him, he wants to continue here for the long term and it will be a matter of time when we resolve that.”

Rice, who joined from West Ham in the summer of 2023 for a club-record £105 million, has been central to Arsenal’s Premier League title-winning campaign. The new deal would represent an increase of more than £100,000 per week on his current wages, reflecting his status as one of the division’s most influential midfielders.

The 26-year-old recently indicated his desire to stay in north London, telling Scandinavian broadcaster Viaplay that Arteta’s own contract extension — signed until the summer of 2030 — had strengthened his commitment to the club.

Arteta, who has previously nicknamed Rice “The Lighthouse” for his ability to read and neutralise danger, was effusive in his praise. “I think he has been very consistent again. What we demand from him every year is very difficult to do and difficult to maintain. He is doing it and big credit to him.”

Rice is expected to be fit to start at Anfield after missing Arsenal’s Carabao Cup fourth-round defeat at Fleetwood Town. He was seen holding his right hamstring late in the 2-0 Premier League win over Everton the previous weekend, but trained normally at London Colney on Friday.

Beyond Rice, Kai Havertz is understood to be next in line for a contract renewal. The future of captain Martin Odegaard is less clear — his current deal runs until 2028, and there is no firm indication yet that Arsenal are actively pursuing an extension for the Norwegian.