Odegaard has 18 months left on his current contract (Picture: Reuters)
Martin Odegaard hopes to stay at Arsenal ‘for a long time’ despite interest from Bayern Munich.
The Gunners captain has 18 months left on his current contract in north London. Arsenal are keen to agree an extension with the midfielder to prevent him entering the last 12 months of his deal.
Injury issues and inconsistent form raised questions over his long-term future at stages in north London last season.
But the skipper has returned to form this campaign, still one of Mikel Arteta’s first choice picks in midfield despite the intense competition for places.
While he remains a key figure at the Emirates, reports have suggested uncertainty over his contract situation has invited interest from elsewhere.
Get over the international break
Read exclusive analysis of the biggest stories in football with Metro’s weekly football newsletter In The Mixer. Sign up now for free.
Sky Germany reported last month Bayern Munich have had ‘ongoing contact’ with Odegaard who would be open to joining the German giants if he were to leave Arsenal.
The report added the Premier League champions will consider a sale next summer if a new deal is not agreed, unwilling to risk losing him on a free transfer.
Arsenal scored the winner against Hull last time out (Picture: Getty)
Speaking on international duty with Norway, Odegaard has said he has no immediate plans to leave Arsenal but admitted there have been no talks over a new contract yet.
‘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,’ Odegaard said when asked about his contract situation.
Ask Metro
Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications.
Odegaard scored Arsenal’s winner as they beat Hull City in their final game before the international break.
It moved his side five points clear at the top of the Premier League ahead of Brighton with Manchester City faltering badly in recent weeks, losing three games on the spin to fall from top spot.
The champions return to action away to Newcastle United on Saturday 21 November.
Arrow
MORE: Ex-Premier League ref calls Mikel Arteta a ‘nightmare’ to deal with
Arrow
MORE: ‘Needs to move on’ – Mauricio Pochettino urged to sell £47m Manchester United star
Arrow
MORE: Gary Lineker makes bleak Mauricio Pochettino prediction after Man Utd appointment
Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google
Add as preferred source