Martin Odegaard set for talks over new Arsenal contract
Arsenal are planning to sit down with Norway midfielder Martin Odegaard to discuss a new contract, 90min can confirm.
Odegaard joined Arsenal permanently in the summer of 2021 after an impressive six-month loan spell, and has since gone on to establish himself as one of the Gunners' most important players.
The 24-year-old is already club captain, highlighting his influence behind the scenes, but he has been just as important on the pitch with a return of 15 goals and eight assists in 35 Premier League games this year.
Such is Odegaard's importance to Arsenal that the Gunners are keen to hand out a bumper new contract to reflect his emergence as one of the leading midfielders in the Premier League.
Sources have confirmed to 90min that Odegaard's representatives are more than happy to sit down with Arsenal in the coming weeks with a view to an extension which will include a significant pay rise.
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Odegaard's current contract expires in 2025 and so Arsenal are under no pressure to thrash out a new deal, but there is an appreciation that the Norway international is deserving of a reward for his role in the team.
The Gunners are hard at work planning their summer transfer strategy but are also working to finalise a handful of new contracts, with Odegaard the latest in a long line of players in negotiations over an extension.
Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale is expected to agree a new contract before the end of the month, while the long wait for Bukayo Saka's new deal is likely to come to an end in the near future as well after an agreement was reached back in February.
Negotiations remain on with centre-back William Saliba, but midfielder Granit Xhaka could leave the club this summer after a collapse in talks.
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On this edition of Talking Transfers, part of the 90min podcast network, Scott Saunders, Graeme Bailey & Toby Cudworth discuss the possibility of Neymar joining Newcastle, Jude Bellingham's decision on his future and Lionel Messi leaving PSG.
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