Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard is open to joining Bayern Munich in the future, although the Gunners have already taken steps towards extending his contract.
The Norway international has attracted interest from several leading European clubs, with Bayern maintaining contact with his representatives over recent years.
According to Sky Sport Germany journalists Florian Plettenberg and Luca Sixtus, Odegaard could envisage playing for the Bundesliga champions despite remaining an important figure at Arsenal.
However, Bayern are not currently pursuing a transfer for the midfielder, who is not considered one of their priority targets.
The 27-year-old remains under contract at the Emirates Stadium until June 2028, leaving Arsenal with time to negotiate an extension.
Initial informal discussions have already taken place between the club and Odegaard over a potential new agreement.
Arsenal are keen to secure his long-term future rather than risk allowing him to enter the final year of his contract without an extension.
The report adds that Arsenal could consider selling their captain next summer if negotiations fail to produce an agreement.
Such a decision would allow the club to secure a transfer fee rather than potentially losing him for nothing when his existing deal expires in 2028.
Several other major European clubs are also understood to be monitoring Odegaard’s situation, although their identities have not been disclosed.
Bayern’s interest is not entirely new, with the German club having maintained communication with the Norwegian’s camp over several years.
Nevertheless, those discussions have never progressed into a completed transfer, and there is currently no indication of an imminent move.
Odegaard has established himself as one of Arsenal’s most influential players since initially arriving on loan from Real Madrid in January 2021.
He subsequently completed a permanent move that summer and was appointed club captain ahead of the 2022-23 campaign.
His creativity, technical ability and pressing have made him a central figure in Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’s system.
The Norwegian also played an important role in Arsenal’s Premier League title-winning campaign last season.
However, the latest developments raise questions about his longer-term future as Arsenal consider the next stage of their squad planning.
A new contract would provide greater certainty while protecting the club’s position should interest from elsewhere intensify.
For now, Arsenal remain focused on extending Odegaard’s stay, and Bayern have yet to make a concrete approach for his signature.