Martin Ødegaard has given Arsenal a clear positive on his future, but the contract part is still unresolved. The captain said he is happy and hopes he can stay at the club for a long time, while adding that talks have not started yet. He has just over 18 months left on his current deal, which leaves the club with a live decision to make.
Contract talks and Bayern's interest
Arsenal want to agree an extension before Ødegaard enters the last 12 months of his contract. That is the point at which the pressure really starts to rise, and it gives the club an obvious incentive to move before the situation tightens further.
Sky Germany reported that Bayern München have had ongoing contact with Ødegaard. Metro's reporting leaves that as a live interest line, while the Standard's update is more restrained because the talks have not actually begun. Both things can sit in the same story: Arsenal have a player who wants to stay, and a rival who is still close enough to keep the issue open.
Arsenal's case for moving early
The football argument for sorting this now is strong enough. Ødegaard has played in all 10 of Arsenal's Premier League matches so far and has scored 3 times this season. Arsenal are top of the Premier League, and their 9 wins, 0 draws, 1 defeat record shows why the club can push ahead from a position of control rather than panic.
That return to form is part of the reason this feels like a deal Arsenal should not leave to drift. Ødegaard is central to the side, he is producing again, and he has already said he wants to stay. The next deadline inside the story is the final 12 months of his contract, and Arsenal have every reason to avoid reaching that stage without a fresh agreement.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 2 outlets. How we work →
