Arsenal 'preparing to open contract talks with Martin Odegaard'

Arsenal are reportedly preparing to begin talks with club captain Martin Odegaard over a new-and-improved contract.

The ex-Real Madrid protege has led by example in his first full season with the armband, recording 15 goals and eight assists in 35 Premier League appearances.

Only Gabriel Martinelli has scored as many Premier League goals for Arsenal in the current campaign as Odegaard, whose form has been invaluable to the Gunners' unexpected title charge.

The Norway international is only under contract with the North London club for another two years until 2025, but according to the Evening Standard, an extension is in the pipeline.

The report claims that Odegaard's renewal will reflect his status as one of the Premier League's leading players, and he can expect a bumper pay increase with his fresh terms.

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Odegaard's current contract apparently includes a one-year extension option until 2026, but Arsenal want their captain to commit his long-term future to the club, and negotiations are expected to progress quickly.

The 24-year-old is apparently settled in North London and wants to be at the forefront of another Premier League title push next year, which would be his third full season as an Arsenal player.

Odegaard initially made the switch to the Emirates on loan from Real Madrid for the second half of the 2020-21 season, and having immediately adapted to the Premier League, the Gunners paid €35m (£30.4m) to acquire his services permanently.

The Norway captain has produced 24 goals and 15 assists from 103 games in red and white since his loan move, and he could be one of several integral young players to commit their long-term futures to the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal have already tied down Brazilian duo Gabriel Magalhaes and Martinelli this season, and Bukayo Saka is believed to be on the verge of signing a new long-term contract too.

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Talks are also ongoing with French defender William Saliba, while number one goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale is thought to be in line for a new-and-improved deal.

As well as contract renewals, the Gunners are also expected to undergo another significant summer of change in terms of incomings and outgoings, with midfield additions understood to be priority number one.

West Ham United's Declan Rice and Brighton & Hove Albion's Moises Caicedo have been earmarked as top targets, as Granit Xhaka is apparently closing in on a £13m move to Bayer Leverkusen.

Highly-rated prospect Charlie Patino is also expected to depart alongside Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Pablo Mari, whose loan to Monza will be converted into a permanent deal.

Reiss Nelson, Folarin Balogun, Kieran Tierney, Emile Smith Rowe, Rob Holding and Nicolas Pepe are also facing uncertain futures with Arsenal, who sit four points behind Manchester City in the Premier League table ahead of Saturday's trip to Nottingham Forest.