Odegaard set to stay at Arsenal despite Galatasaray agreement claims

Martin Odegaard looks set to remain at Arsenal after Turkish media reports claiming the Norwegian had reached an agreement with Galatasaray were effectively debunked. The speculation centred on the presence of Odegaard’s agent, Bjorn Kvarme, in Istanbul earlier this month — but it has since emerged that Kvarme had in fact travelled to the United States to support his client during Norway’s World Cup campaign.

Sources close to the midfielder, as reported by football.london, insist Odegaard is happy at Arsenal and eager to stay, with discussions over a new contract expected in the near future. The club are said to be equally keen to retain him, pointing to his influential role in their title-winning Premier League season — a significant turnaround from the injury-disrupted campaign he endured the year before, when two separate shoulder problems and a knee issue cost him 21 matches across all competitions.

Odegaard made 36 appearances in all competitions last season despite those fitness setbacks, and has retained the full backing of both manager Mikel Arteta and the dressing room. Arteta has consistently dismissed any suggestion of a captaincy change, previously stating: “Our captain is unbelievable, I love him. He’s so good and he’ll continue to be the captain and continue to be so good.” Teammates have also unanimously voted for Odegaard to retain the armband.

The 26-year-old will take a short break following Norway’s World Cup exit at the quarter-final stage against England before reporting back for pre-season next month.

Arsenal’s summer business is not without its complications, however. The club are actively pursuing Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes and are working on a first formal offer, with both the player and the club’s hierarchy seeking clarity before pre-season begins in August. How that pursuit develops could yet have some bearing on the shape of Arsenal’s midfield — and the broader context of Odegaard’s role — heading into the 2026/27 campaign.