Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard open to joining Champions League club

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard would be open to a shock move to Bayern Munich after ‘ongoing contact’ with the Bundesliga club, according to reports in Germany.

Odegaard’s current contract at Arsenal runs until 2028 but the Gunners are keen to agree an extension to prevent him entering into the final year of his deal.

Around 12 months ago there was uncertainty around Odegaard’s future in north London following injury issues and a dramatic downturn in form.

But the 27-year-old ended the season by captaining Arsenal to their first Premier League title since 2004 and helping Mikel Arteta’s side reach the Champions League final.

Odegaard has enjoyed an even better start to the 2026/27 campaign, scoring four goals and providing an assist to help Arsenal make progress both domestically and in Europe.

Bosses at the Emirates Stadium are believed to be in contact with Odegaard’s representatives, keen to tie the Norwegian down to a new long-term contract.

That appears to be the most likely outcome but Sky Germany say Arsenal will consider a sale next summer if Odegaard does not sign on the dotted line as they are unwilling to lose him for free.

Odegaard has enjoyed a bright start to the new season (Picture: Reuters)

It is claimed Bayern Munich would be waiting in the wings should that happen as they have had ‘ongoing contact’ with the midfielder ‘over the past few years’.

While happy and settled at Arsenal, Odegaard ‘could, in principle, imagine playing for the German champions in the future’ and has ‘general interest’ in a move to Bayern.

The report adds that Odegaard, who joined Arsenal from Real Madrid in 2021, is also ‘on the radar’ of a number of other top European clubs.