Arsenal are preparing to start contract talks with captain Martin Odegaard as one of four players they are looking to tie down to new deals, according to a new report.
Odegaard has been one of Arsenal's star players this season, and is the side's joint-highest Premier League scorer this season. He has 15 goals from midfield, matching Gabriel Martinelli.
His leadership qualities have also been praised, as he helped Arsenal to the top of the division for much of the campaign before they were overtaken by Manchester City last month.
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The Athletic claimed in October that the Gunners were keen to reward players for their performances by giving them improved contracts, even if their existing deals still had some time to run.
And Odegaard is reportedly one of four players Arsenal are desperate to keep at the club.
Martin Odegaard 'set for huge Arsenal contract'
The London Evening Standard claim that the Gunners are set to open talks with Odegaard - and are prepared to give him a contract that reflects his status as one of the top players in the Premier League.
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Arsenal's stance on Odegaard backs up the original claim last year that they wanted to reward players for their displays at the club. The Norwegian has a contract until 2025, with the option of an extra year, having moved to the Emirates Stadium from Real Madrid in 2021.
However, the Gunners clearly want to ward off interest from other clubs by giving Odegaard a much increased salary - and his contract is one of Arsenal's many plans for the off-season.
They are set to finalise an agreement to hand goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale a new deal, while winger Bukayo Saka has, as per The Athletic, agreed a new contract in principle.
William Saliba is another player that Arsenal will hope to commit to fresh terms, before attention turns to incoming transfers.
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They have been linked with moves for West Ham's Declan Rice and Brighton's Moises Caicedo, with The Times claiming on Monday that up to 10 players could be sold by manager Mikel Arteta to fund those pursuits.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Arsenal, Martin Odegaard, Premier League, Mikel Arteta