Arsenal are yet to reach a breakthrough in contract talks with Alex Marciniak and Josh Ogunnaike, with both players’ deals expiring at the end of June.
Declan Rice, Max Dowman and Josh Ogunnaike and Marli Salmon of Arsenal warm up during a training session ahead of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Semi Final First Leg match between Atletico de Madrid and Arsenal FC at Sobha Realty Training Centre on April 28, 2026 in London Colney, England. (Photo by James Fearn/Getty Images)
Photo by James Fearn/Getty Images
June 30th is the standard date for football contracts to expire, at least when it comes to Premier League clubs, which means a number of young players departed Arsenal at midnight on that date.
Earlier in June, Arsenal confirmed the 15 players from the u21s, u18s, and women’s team set to depart as free agents, adding that three players were still in contract talks.
One of those was Caitlin Foord, who has since extended. But there have been no official updates on the other two – Alex Marciniak and Josh Ogunnaike.
Josh Ogunnaike scoring for the Arsenal u19s (Photo via Arsenal.com)
Photo via Arsenal.com
Tom Canton reports for Football.London that whilst the club has indeed been in talks with Marciniak and Ogunnaike, he understands that there has been no breakthrough so far.
That doesn’t mean the duo will be on the way out, as there’s no reason why talks can’t continue after June 30th.
Interested clubs will also have to agree a compensation fee with Arsenal to sign either player, as the two players are under-23, and that’s not always a straightforward task.
Dan Casey’s move to Crystal Palace fell apart last year after club-to-club talks, despite the player being out of contract with Arsenal. He ended up joining Fulham later in the 2025/26 season.
arsenal training ground london colney
Arsenal training ground London Colney
So whilst June 30th is a deadline day of sorts for player contracts, it doesn’t really change that much. Marciniak and Ogunnaike can still agree a fresh deal with Arsenal, and if they’re set on leaving, they’ll still need the Gunners to approve their transfer fee.
Arsenal u18 coach Adam Birchall (Photo via Arsenal.com)
Photo via Arsenal.com
Arsenal contract talks continue without breakthrough for 2
Arsenal are yet to reach a breakthrough in contract talks with Alex Marciniak and Josh Ogunnaike, with both players’ deals expiring at the end of June.
Arsenal target questions £130m valuation
Morgan Rogers has questioned his reported £130m valuation after Arsenal stepped back from a possible move for the Aston Villa forward.
Arsenal winger offered €9m salary as €20m fee accepted
Besiktas are reportedly ready to offer Leandro Trossard €9m a year after agreeing a transfer fee with Arsenal.
Cazorla: Arsenal is my home, the door is open for return
Santi Cazorla has retired from football after repeatedly saying he would welcome a return to Arsenal in a coaching role.
Arsenal eye 22yo Chilean winger
Arsenal are among the clubs linked with Dario Osorio, monitoring the Midtjylland winger after a productive season.
Related Topics