Martin Odegaard Clarifies Arsenal Contract Situation Amid Exit Speculation

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard says contract talks with the club have not started, according to an interview with Norwegian broadcaster TV 2.

The 27-year-old spoke to TV 2 in Oslo as speculation about his future grows.

Asked whether he is in talks with Arsenal about his future, Odegaard said: “We haven’t talked about it much. First and foremost, the focus is now on what’s happening on the pitch, so everyone knows the situation around.

“I’m happy and hope I can be there for a long time to come, but so far we haven’t started on that.”

He was then asked whether he would have liked the matter clarified by now.

“There is no stress about it,” Odegaard said. “I am where I am, and I am super happy with it. Things are going well, and it is not something I am stressed about.”

He added: “As I said, I want to be there for a long time to come. I am enjoying myself a lot.”

Odegaard’s contract with Arsenal runs until the summer of 2028. TV 2 reports that foreign outlets, including Sky Germany, have said Arsenal have opened talks with him about an extension.

Sky Germany reported that Arsenal had already held initial informal talks about extending his contract. Odegaard’s comments to TV 2 differ from that account.

Earlier, in September, TEAMtalk reported positive talks between the club and its captain. Neither Odegaard nor Arsenal has confirmed any negotiations in the comments reported.

According to Sky Germany, Arsenal want to avoid Odegaard entering the final year of his contract and leaving on a free transfer in 2028. The report says Arsenal would consider selling him next summer only if they cannot agree a long-term extension.

Sky also reported that Odegaard could imagine playing for Bayern Munich in the future. It said the two sides have been in contact several times in recent years, but no transfer has materialised.

Sky said Bayern currently see no need to act and do not have him on their list of priority targets. Other leading European clubs have reportedly asked about his situation, but none has been named.

Odegaard has scored five goals and provided one assist in 17 appearances for Arsenal in all competitions this season.

He has scored three goals in 10 Premier League appearances, without an assist. In the Champions League, he has one goal and one assist in four appearances.

He also scored in Arsenal’s 3-0 Community Shield win over Manchester City on 16 August. He made two League Cup appearances, both as a substitute, against Ipswich in September and Fleetwood in October.

The Norwegian first joined Arsenal on loan from Real Madrid in January 2021 and signed permanently that August. The reported fee was around €35 million.

Odegaard captains both Arsenal and Norway. TV 2 says he has kept his plans private until now, and describes him as being in the form of his life.

For now, the midfielder says the focus is on the pitch and that he wants a long stay at Arsenal.