Arsenal are set to open contract talks with Martin Odegaard as the club look to secure the long-term future of the club captain.
The Gunners have been working on new contracts for a number of key figures in recent months and are close to finalising agreements with Aaron Ramsdale and Bukayo Saka. Gabriel Martinelli also signed a new deal earlier in the campaign and negotiations are ongoing with William Saliba.
The Evening Standard are reporting that Odegaard is next in line for a new deal following a brilliant season from the Norwegian midfielder.
Odegaard has scored 15 league goals and laid on a further seven assists for the north Londoners and finished third in the vote for the FWA Footballer of the Year award, behind Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Arsenal teammate Saka.
Odegaard has two years remaining on the contract he signed when arriving from Real Madrid in 2021, though Arsenal have an option to extend that deal for a further season. The Gunners are keen to reward Odegaard’s importance with a lucrative long-term deal however, in reflection of his status as one of the Premier League’s most influential footballers.
Mikel Arteta named Odegaard as club captain ahead of the 2022/23 season and the midfielder is understood to be settled in London.
Arsenal will hope to build on their recent progress with another title challenge next season and work is ongoing to bring in new additions, with West Ham captain Declan Rice the club’s top transfer target.
