Arsenal star emerges as Barcelona’s top transfer target; The Gunners are keen to tie up the player to a new deal: reports

According to press reports, Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has emerged as a target for the Spanish team Barcelona in light of its plans for next season. The Gunners are looking forward to working out the details of a new deal with the Norwegian international player in an attempt to link him to the club.

A report from Fichajes (via CaughtOffside) revealed that Hansi Flick’s Barcelona are considering signing Odegaard next summer. They will be looking to revive their interest in the 26-year-old, who was on their radar as a prodigy in his native Norway in 2014.

Martin Odegaard is under contract with Arsenal until 2028, leaving him with 30 months remaining on his current contract at the Emirates Stadium. He moved to the English Premier League after failing to break into the Real Madrid team after several spells away from the Santiago Bernabeu on loan.

Odegaard was a target for Barcelona after emerging as a teenage star with Stromsgodset, with the club inviting his father and his agent to the Nou Camp in November 2014. Negotiations did not go as planned and he ended up joining Real Madrid just two months later, but the Blaugrana were keeping a close eye on him.

Barcelona have successfully attracted club captains Thierry Henry and Cesc Fabregas from Arsenal in the past, leading to concerns from the Premier League side over their interest. They will look to offer the Norwegian midfielder a new contract as he remains a valuable star for Mikel Arteta’s system at the club.

The Arsenal star surpasses Barcelona’s Yamal and Mokoko in the Champions League record

Arsenal midfielder Max Doman beat Barcelona star Lamine Yamal and former Borussia Dortmund star Youssoufa Moukoko to set a Champions League record. The 15-year-old was a second-half substitute for Mikel Arteta’s side as they cruised to a 3-0 win over Slavia Prague on Tuesday.

At 15 years and 308 days, Doman became the youngest player and the first 15-year-old to appear in Europe’s premier club competition. The youngster came off the bench in the 73rd minute, replacing Leandro Trossard for the final 17 minutes of the match.

Yamal was 16 years and 68 days old when he made his competitive debut against Royal Antwerp in 2023, and Moukoko was 50 days younger when he made his debut in 2020. Other players to have played in the tournament include: Celestine Babayaro, Ryan Shirkey, Alen Halilovic, Youri Tielemans, Francisco Camarda, Warren Zaire Emery and Charalambos Mafrias. 16.