Odegaard wants to stay at Arsenal but contract talks yet to begin as Bayern circle

Martin Odegaard has expressed a desire to remain at Arsenal beyond his current deal, but the Norwegian captain has confirmed that no talks have yet taken place over an extension — with Bayern Munich among the clubs keeping a close eye on his situation.

Odegaard’s contract will soon enter its final 18 months, and according to reports from Germany, Arsenal are aware they may ultimately have to sell rather than risk losing him for nothing. The club do not want to see their captain leave on a free transfer, making the coming months critical for both parties.

The 26-year-old has been candid about where things stand. “I’m happy and hope I can stay there [at Arsenal] for a long time to come, but we haven’t started on that yet,” he said, offering little reassurance that a resolution is imminent.

Odegaard has been one of Arsenal’s standout performers this season, reigniting the form that made him one of Europe’s most coveted midfielders. He has started all ten of the Gunners’ Premier League games and leads the squad with five goals across all competitions — a return that has only sharpened interest from abroad.

Manager Mikel Arteta has praised Odegaard’s early-season contributions while also underlining the importance of availability after the Norwegian missed a significant number of games through injury last campaign. “First of all, he needs to be available,” Arteta said. “And last year he missed so many games through injuries. He’s got that edge and he’s got different relationships around him as well. That helps.”

The broader context adds another layer of complexity. Arsenal’s squad has grown considerably in depth since Odegaard first established himself as the team’s first-choice No. 10, with the likes of Kai Havertz, Bruno Guimaraes, and Eberechi Eze all competing for prominent roles. Arteta has shown he is willing to make difficult selection calls, and Odegaard will need to maintain both form and fitness to remain indispensable.

Since Odegaard joined Arsenal permanently, the club have transformed from top-four hopefuls into Premier League champions and a genuine European force. Keeping the man who has been central to that rise will be one of the most important pieces of business the club faces in the months ahead.