Fabrizio Romano drops major update on new Declan Rice contract as Arsenal talks reach "final stage"

By Lewis Blain | 20 Oct 2026 07:49, Last updated: 20 Oct 2026 07:49

Arsenal are closing successful connected a caller semipermanent declaration for Declan Rice, with negotiations reportedly entering their last stages.

Transfer adept Fabrizio Romano has revealed that the Gunners are making important advancement towards securing the England midfielder's future.

The statement could spot Rice go 1 of Arsenal's highest-paid players arsenic Mikel Arteta looks to support his title-winning halfway together.

What has Fabrizio Romano said astir Declan Rice's caller Arsenal contract?

Romano has present confirmed that Arsenal are advancing successful negotiations with Rice, with discussions present focused connected the last details of a caller agreement.

“Arsenal are advancing precise good to support astatine the nine for the agelong word 1 of the important players of this squad - Declan Rice,” Romano explained. “The statement betwixt Arsenal and Rice implicit a caller woody is getting to the last stages.”

The Italian writer besides added that the wage statement is astir complete, with the magnitude of the declaration and remaining details inactive being worked through.

?⚪️ Arsenal hole caller declaration for Declan Rice, moving to the last stages. https://t.co/6NmmH1sLkD

“Arsenal are optimistic to get it done and to person Declan Rice arsenic portion of their semipermanent project,” Romano continued, explaining that the midfielder is considered important by the club's directors, coaching unit and teammates.

Rice is thought to presently gain astir £240k-per-week, and erstwhile reports person suggested that his caller woody could spot his wages emergence to astir £350k-per-week, perchance putting him level with Bukayo Saka arsenic Arsenal's highest-paid player.

Declan Rice contract: Why Arsenal prima deserves caller deal

A imaginable £350k-per-week wage whitethorn rise eyebrows, but Rice has established himself arsenic 1 of Arsenal's astir important players since arriving from West Ham for £105m successful 2023.

The 27-year-old combines antiaircraft subject with almighty ball-carrying, awesome stamina and the quality to lend further forward. He tin run arsenic a holding midfielder oregon successful a much precocious role, giving Arteta invaluable tactical flexibility.

Rice has besides delivered connected the biggest occasions, astir memorably scoring doubly from escaped kicks against Real Madrid successful the Champions League quarter-finals successful April 2025. He was cardinal to Arsenal's Premier League triumph past season, helping extremity the club's 22-year hold for the title.

With Arteta committed until 2030, securing Rice for the agelong word would reenforce the foundations of Arsenal's project. At 27, the England planetary should inactive person his champion years up of him.

Arsenal would beryllium paying a premium, but Rice's power extends good beyond his idiosyncratic statistics. He is simply a leader, a accordant performer and a subordinate susceptible of helping the Gunners vie for large honours for years to come.