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Arsenal 27yo’s new contract is now imminent

Declan Rice’s Arsenal contract extension is now considered to be imminent, and Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz could be the next up.

BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Declan Rice of Arsenal appears looks on during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Arsenal FC at American Express Stadium on September 19, 2026 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images

Fabrizio Romano reports that a new contract for Declan Rice is ‘really, really close’, if not ‘imminent’.

It’s just a case of sorting the final details now, and sending the paperwork to the lawyers to give the green light for the announcement. But Romano expects Rice to be the next Arsenal player to extend his contract.

The midfielder’s current contract expires in 2028, so it would be big news for Arsenal to get his extension sorted before his deal reaches its final year.

BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Riccardo Calafiori and Kai Havertz of Arsenal exchange words during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Arsenal FC at American Express Stadium on September 19, 2026 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Romano adds that he expects Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz to be the next up for contract conversations, assuming they continue to impress on the pitch. Rice’s negotiations are clearly ahead at the moment, but those two are seemingly worth keeping an eye on.

Rice has had another busy start to the season, appearing in seven of Arsenal’s eight games. The only exception was the League Cup trip to Ipswich Town.

Of those seven appearances, Rice started six games, coming off the bench at half-time in the Community Shield. There’s been no sense of holding him back in the early stages of 2026/27.

brighton and hove albion v arsenal fc premier league 2026 27 7
Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images

Perhaps that fast start has come with a cost, as Rice has had to pull out of the international break despite an initial call-up from England.

There’s no suggestion Rice’s injury issue is anything too serious, but he’s evidently still not at 100%, having also struggled with some injury problems late last season and over the summer.

Having a few weeks off should do the midfielder some good, and perhaps give him a chance to wrap up that new Arsenal contract.

CARDIFF, WALES - AUGUST 16: Gabriel Magalhaes and Declan Rice of Arsenal celebrate with the FA Community Shield trophy after the 2026 FA Community Shield match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Principality Stadium on August 16, 2026 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
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