uk.sports.yahoo.com

Arsenal among clubs monitoring Noni Madueke’s situation at Chelsea

Chelsea winger Noni Madueke is on the radar of a host of clubs this summer, including Arsenal.

Arsenal are understood to have made checks on a number of different players, which makes it hard to gauge the strength of their interest in Madueke and whether they will pursue him.

Madueke has not been put up for sale by Chelsea and has not been offered to clubs. But rivals believe he could be sold this summer, with the 23-year-old not considered to be untouchable.

Chelsea have not received an approach from Arsenal or held talks with their London neighbours over Madueke, but the north London club are thought to be among those to have looked at his situation.

A number of clubs are interested in signing wide players this summer and Madueke’s ability to play on the right or the left makes him an attractive proposition.

Newcastle United and Madueke’s former club Tottenham Hotspur are looking at wide players who can predominantly play from the right, while Manchester United are optimistic about clinching the signing of Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford, despite late interest from Spurs.

Arsenal want to sign a wide player, as well as a striker, this summer. Nico Williams had been a target, but the Spain international is expected to join Barcelona. Bayern Munich are also waiting in the wings in case that move collapses.

Given he can play on both flanks, Madueke would give Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta much greater depth and better cover for talisman Bukayo Saka.

Madueke scored 11 goals and registered a further five assists last season, earning a call-up to the England squad. He also laid on Harry Kane’s winner against Andorra in the last international camp.

Pedro Neto has made himself Enzo Maresca’s first-choice winger on the right, which meant that Madueke finished the season playing on the left.

But Chelsea’s search for a new left winger – with Jamie Gittens the club’s top target – could push Madueke down Maresca’s pecking order for next season, ahead of next summer’s World Cup.

Chelsea have sold Kai Havertz and Jorginho to Arsenal in recent years, with Raheem Sterling spending a year on loan at the Emirates and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga tipped to make the move to become David Raya’s deputy. Napoli have also held talks over Kepa.

Read full news in source page