Arsenal are close to finalising a £50m deal to sign Chelsea forward Noni Madueke.
It was thought that discussions between the clubs would start following the FIFA Club World Cup.
However, talks have progressed, with Madueke understood to be open to the move across the capital.
Personal terms on a five-year contract have been agreed in principle.
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Watch some of the best Premier League goals scored by Chelsea winger Noni Madueke
Arsenal have been looking to sign a left-sided forward this summer, although Madueke featured 33 times on the right side of Chelsea’s attack during the 2024/25 season and on only seven occasions on the left, contributing no goals or assists in that time.
The Gunners, who have also looked at a number of other players in the forward positions, including Real Madrid’s Rodrygo, have both Bukayo Saka and Ethan Nwaneri to fill the right-winger spot.
Chelsea signed Madueke from PSV Eindhoven for £29m in January 2023, and he has five years left on his contract. However, the Blues have strengthened significantly in attacking areas this summer.
Strikers Liam Delap arrived for £30m from Ipswich Town and Joao Pedro joined from Brighton in a deal worth up to £60m.
The west London club also added Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund for an initial fee of £48.5m, plus £3.5m in potential add ons.
What about Rodrygo?
Real Madrid forward Rodrygo is the other top target Arsenal have for that position. It appears unlikely they are going to sign both players, but it is unclear at this stage which deal the club are prioritising.
Arsenal are also interested in Real Madrid winger Rodrygo
Rodrygo would certainly be the more exciting signing given his profile and pedigree, being a two-time Champions League winner.
Reports in Spain indicate he is valued at around £69m (€80m) which is likely to be a lot more than Chelsea demand for Madueke.
Rodrygo’s future at Real is up in the air under new boss Xabi Alonso, who has given him a limited role at the Club World Cup. The Brazil forward has not started a match since their opener against Al Hilal.
The 24-year-old has become known for being a right-winger at Madrid, but his preferred position is on the left, which would suit Arsenal’s needs.
Analysis: Is Madueke the answer for Arsenal’s winger search?
Sky Sports’ Sam Blitz:
Arsenal’s pursuit of Noni Madueke has been a surprise – and a significant transfer fee put towards the Chelsea winger would split opinion in the Gunners fanbase.
Arsenal are looking for a new winger to refresh their wide options but many expected the No 1 target to be Real Madrid’s Rodrygo or Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams.
Both have the status and talent to match what Bukayo Saka does on the opposite flank.
As a right-winger, Madueke would provide the Gunners with suitable cover for Saka – but is he the answer for Arsenal as a first-choice left winger?
The 23-year-old played most of last season on the right but it is worth noting that eight out of his last nine appearances for club and country have come on the left wing.
Noni Madueke’s stats comparison as a right winger and left winger
In his seven starts for Chelsea on the left last term, Madueke failed to get a goal, an assist or create a big chance in any of them. Looking at the numbers and his overall play, he seems more comfortable on the right.
However, it is worth noting that Chelsea did win six of those seven games where Madueke started on the left – the only defeat was the 2-0 loss at Newcastle, where Nicolas Jackson was sent off and Madueke was sacrificed at half-time.
Madueke did get an assist for England’s winner against Andorra after starting on the left wing. But is Madueke going to significantly improve Arsenal’s options in that position, even though he may be cheaper than Rodrygo?
Chelsea’s need to balance books has opened door for Madueke Arsenal move
Sky Sports News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol:
“We’ve been telling you for the past couple of weeks that there were question marks about Madueke’s future at Chelsea and we’ve also been telling you that Arsenal are very, very interested in signing him. Arsenal have now made their move to sign him.
“I think it’s a bit of a complicated situation regarding Madueke because he’s played well for Chelsea since they signed him two and a half years ago from PSV Eindhoven for £29m. But it’s been well documented that Chelsea have spent a lot of money in the transfer window already this summer and they need to balance their books.
“Last week they came to an agreement with UEFA that basically said that if they want to register new players for the Champions League next season, they have to make sure that their transfer spend this season is balanced out this summer by the players they sell as well. So they’ve signed players like Liam Delap and Joao Pedro. That means they also have to sell players.
“When clubs like Arsenal ring them up asking about Noni Madueke, I think Chelsea’s position has to be that players are not officially for sale, but obviously if you want to put in an offer, put in an offer and we will judge it on its merits.
“I get the feeling that Noni Madueke is going to be an Arsenal player this summer. The timing probably is not great for Chelsea because they’re on a high after winning their semi-final at the Club World Cup. They’re preparing for the final on Sunday against PSG or Real Madrid.
“To be fair to Noni Madueke, and this is a point that Enzo Maresca has made out here in the US, he’s got his head straight even though there’s all this speculation swirling around about his future and the fact that he may well be an Arsenal player. He still performed for Chelsea when he’s been called upon.
“He came on as a second-half substitute on Tuesday against Fluminense. He came on as a second-half substitute in the quarter-final against Palmeiras and played very, very well. So to be fair to him, he’s not letting all these reports affect him, but I get the feeling that his days at Chelsea are numbered because they need to balance their books.”
In
Kepa Arrizabalaga – Chelsea, £5m
Martin Zubimendi – Real Sociedad, £51m
Out
Jorginho – Flamengo, free
Kieran Tierney – Celtic, free
Nuno Taveres – Lazio, £4.3m
Marquinhos – Cruzeiro, undisclosed
Takehiro Tomiyasu – released
Thomas Partey – released
In
Jamie Gittens – Dortmund, £51.5m
Joao Pedro – Brighton, £60m
Liam Delap – Ipswich, £30m
Estevao Willian – Palmeiras, £29.1m
Dario Essugo – Sporting, £18.5m
Mamadou Sarr – RC Strasbourg, undisclosed
Out
Bashir Humphrey – Burnley, undisclosed
Marcus Bettinelli – Man City, undisclosed
Kepa Arrizabalga – Arsenal, £5m
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