Declan Rice is on the verge of committing his long-term future to Arsenal, with sources telling BBC Sport that negotiations over a new contract have reached an advanced stage.

The England midfielder joined the Gunners from West Ham for £105 million in July 2023 and has since established himself as one of the most influential players in the squad, making more than 150 starts for the club.

A deal to match his stature

Rice's current deal runs out at the end of next season. BBC Sport first reported in March that talks over an extension were underway, and those discussions have now progressed considerably.

The new contract is expected to bring a substantial pay rise on his reported £240,000-per-week salary, lifting him to the level of Arsenal's top earner Bukayo Saka, who is understood to take home around £350,000 a week.

Rice's importance extends beyond the Emirates Stadium. England manager Thomas Tuchel this week described the 27-year-old as one of the finest midfielders on the continent — a sentiment Arsenal fans will find easy to agree with.

Arteta's own deal paves the way

The update on Rice's contract comes days after Arsenal confirmed a new four-year deal for manager Mikel Arteta, who signed his extension on Tuesday as the club continues to build around a core of players it clearly intends to keep for the long haul.

Securing Rice alongside Arteta would send a powerful signal about Arsenal's ambitions — reinforcing the belief that the Gunners are constructing something built to last in the Premier League.