Rice confirms new Arsenal deal 'hopefully on the horizon soon'
Declan Rice has confirmed he is close to putting pen to paper on a new Arsenal contract, telling reporters ahead of England's clash with Spain on Sunday that an extension is 'hopefully on the horizon soon'.
“A new contract is hopefully on the horizon soon and I'm extremely lucky to be at a club like Arsenal where the manager shows me so much trust and teammates who put so much energy in to me,” Rice said.
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The update comes after BBC Sport first revealed on 7 October that the midfielder was set to sign a new long term deal at Emirates Stadium. Sami Mokbel's report suggested the move had been in the works for some time before Rice himself addressed it publicly.
A deal that reflects his standing
Rice's current contract runs until 2028, but the 27 year old is now expected to extend his stay in north London well beyond that. According to the report, his new deal will put him alongside Bukayo Saka as one of Arsenal's top earners, underlining how central he has become to Mikel Arteta's side since his £105m move from West Ham in 2023.
That fee made Rice the most expensive British player in history at the time, and his performances since arriving have gone a long way toward justifying the outlay. He has established himself as a defensive midfield mainstay, combining physicality with composure on the ball, and has become one of the first names on Arteta's team sheet.
Consistency as a career philosophy
Rice also spoke about the value of stability in his career, crediting it for his steady development as a top level midfielder.
“I've been extremely lucky I've managed to play at such a consistent level throughout my career. I always set myself targets, pushing for more,” he said. “I'm extremely lucky not to have to worry about that stuff as it makes playing football far more easier.”
His comments suggest a player settled both on and off the pitch, something Arsenal will view as important given the upheaval many top clubs face in retaining key midfielders amid constant transfer speculation. Rice has avoided that kind of uncertainty throughout his career, moving from boyhood club West Ham to Arsenal in a single high profile transfer rather than a series of disruptive moves.
With the formalities seemingly just a matter of time, Arsenal fans can expect confirmation of a new long term deal for one of the club's most important players in the near future. Further details, including the length and exact terms of the contract, are likely to emerge once the agreement is finalised.
