Declan Rice is close to signing a new long-term contract with Arsenal, per BBC Sport .

The 27-year-old’s current deal expires in the summer of 2028, with the club having an option to extend by another year.

Arsenal have been working to tie him down to a new deal. That process has now reached an advanced stage as both parties are close to a formal agreement.

Rice currently earns a salary of £240k per week, but the fresh terms will see that figure rise to around £350k per week.

This would put him on a par with the club’s highest-paid player Bukayo Saka.

Rice has been nothing short of sensational since joining Arsenal from West Ham United in 2023.

The 27-year-old has been a consistent performer for the Gunners, impressing with his physicality, passing, ball-winning ability and attacking contributions.

He has bagged 21 goals and 33 assists in 165 appearances across all competitions.

From a tactical formation and squad depth perspective, "Declan Rice close to signing new long-term Arsenal contract" carries substantial tournament implications for international seeding and domestic campaign momentum. Coaching staffs are heavily weighing high-pressing efficiency (PPDA), defensive transition pace, and fixture fatigue management.

Tactical analysts monitoring Live Scores metrics emphasize that squad adaptability and set-piece execution will likely dictate outcomes in high-leverage knockout environments. Real-time match telemetry and tracking data continue to inform managerial decision-making.

Editorial Fact-Check & Verification Note: This briefing was curated, corroborated, and synthesized by the Soccer2026 LiveWire Editorial Desk. Readers following "Declan Rice close to signing new long-term Arsenal contract" are encouraged to review the full primary source coverage linked below for complete historical context, direct quotes, and official statements.