Martin Odegaard's future at Arsenal is in genuine doubt for the first time in his five-year stint at the club, with Bayern Munich emerging as a concrete destination and Arsenal privately acknowledging they could sell their captain if contract talks collapse.

The 27-year-old Norway international has been central to everything Mikel Arteta has built at the Emirates Stadium, joining initially on loan from Real Madrid before Arsenal made the move permanent for around £30 million. This season, Odegaard became the first Arsenal captain to lift a Premier League title since Patrick Vieira in 2004 — a moment that cemented his place in the club's folklore.

Bayern Munich enter the picture

Sky Deutschland, cited by Sport Witness, report that Odegaard can "envision a future move" to Bayern Munich, and that the Bavarians have already held preliminary discussions about signing him. The report adds that his camp appear to be using Bayern Munich's interest as leverage to push Arsenal into offering improved contract terms.

Odegaard enters the final year of his current deal next summer, giving Arsenal a narrowing window to secure his signature. While the club have held informal talks with the player over an extension, Sport Witness reports that Arsenal "would be open to selling" him for the first time should those negotiations fail before the end of the summer transfer window.

A pivotal decision for Arteta

It marks a notable shift in Arsenal's stance. Throughout a difficult 18-to-24-month spell that included injury and inconsistent form — during which Eberechi Eze staked a claim for a starting role — Arsenal never seriously entertained selling Odegaard. Questions also surfaced about whether the Norway captain is best deployed as a No.10 or a deeper No.8, particularly alongside Declan Rice and Bruno Guimaraes in midfield.

Despite those debates, Arteta has consistently built his system around Odegaard, sidelining competitors including Fabio Vieira, Emile Smith Rowe, and Ethan Nwaneri in the process. The midfielder is valued at €80 million by Transfermarkt.

Arteta's own contract at the Emirates Stadium runs until Odegaard turns 30, making the next few months critical in determining whether the pair continue their partnership — or go their separate ways.