Arsenal are reportedly planning to offer captain Martin Odegaard a new long-term deal as a reward for his stellar performances.
The Norway international took over as captain from Alexandre Lacazette in the summer and has gone from strength to strength during the Gunners' unfancied Premier League title charge.
Odegaard has recorded 10 goals and seven assists in 27 top-flight appearances for the Gunners, who sit eight points clear of Manchester City in first place having played a game more.
The 24-year-old impressed on loan during the second half of the 2020-21 season before arriving permanently in that same summer, but his contract is up in the summer of 2025.
According to Football Transfers, Arsenal are working on a five-year extension for the ex-Real Madrid man, which would see him commit his future to Arsenal until the end of the 2029-30 season.
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The report claims that Odegaard can expect a "substantial" pay rise as part of his new terms, and there is optimism from both sides that an agreement can be found quickly.
The former Stromsgodset starlet, who was recently named the Men's Player of the Year at the London Football Awards, has 19 goals and 14 assists to show from 95 outings in a Gunners jersey since his initial loan move.
Before entering negotiations with their skipper, Arsenal are prioritising extensions for Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Granit Xhaka, having already tied Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Magalhaes down to fresh terms.
Saka's current deal only runs until the end of next season, and both Liverpool and Manchester City have been linked with a move for the England international amid his uncertain future.
However, Arsenal are now said to have agreed a new long-term contract with the 21-year-old, and an announcement can be expected in the near future.
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Meanwhile, Saliba's current terms are also due to expire in 2024, with Arsenal triggering a one-year option to prevent him leaving for free at the end of the campaign.
The France international had to wait three years before making his first-team debut, but he has since established a reputation as one of the Premier League's leading players in his position.
While talks with Saliba are not as advanced as Saka's, there is still optimism that a deal can be struck, and the same can be said for Xhaka amid his redemption arc.
The Switzerland international's Arsenal career was seemingly dead in the water following his outburst towards the fans in 2019, but the arrival of Mikel Arteta saw Xhaka unexpectedly turn his fortunes around, and a new deal beyond 2024 is now in the pipeline.
Arsenal extended their lead over Manchester City with a 4-1 thumping of Crystal Palace at the weekend, and the table-toppers will face Leeds United in their first game back after the international break.
Ben Knapton
