Declan Rice set to match Saka's £350k-a-week wages in Arsenal contract breakthrough

Declan Rice is on the verge of signing a new contract at Arsenal that would lift his wages to approximately £350,000 per week, matching the club’s current top earner Bukayo Saka, according to BBC Sport.

Rice’s existing deal runs until the end of next season, but Arsenal have moved early to remove any threat of rival interest. The 26-year-old joined from West Ham for £105 million in the summer of 2023 and has since become central to Mikel Arteta’s plans, making 165 appearances and contributing 21 goals and 33 assists. His performances were a key part of Arsenal’s first Premier League title in 22 years last season.

Talks between Rice and the club have progressed well, with the midfielder’s current salary of around £240,000 per week expected to rise sharply to bring him in line with Saka, who signed a new four-year deal in February.

The Rice negotiations form part of a broader effort by owners Stan and Josh Kroenke to lock down the club’s most important figures. Arteta himself committed to a new four-year contract this week, with reports placing his salary at close to £20 million per year — the highest of any Premier League manager.

Arteta has spoken at length about Rice’s growing influence at the club. “He can adapt to anything that you throw at him,” the Spaniard said. “He has earned the right to increase that role, to be more and more important, to be very present in everything that we do. He’s in the leadership group, which is very important as well, and it’s a real presence.”

England manager Thomas Tuchel was equally effusive about Rice during the summer’s World Cup. “He is one of the very best midfielders in the world,” Tuchel said. “He’s humble, ready to be a team player, ready to give quality and energy to the group. He learns every day in his career.”

Rice, who has earned 80 caps and scored eight goals for England, has made seven appearances for Arsenal across all competitions so far this season.