Arsenal are looking to bolster their squad going into the next season after finishing second in the Premier League for the third consecutive year.
One key area where Mikel Arteta’s side fell short was in attack, and the Gunners are said to be prioritising bolstering their frontline this summer transfer window.
The club are keen on signing a new striker. Arsenal are strongly interested in Benjamin Sesko, while Sporting Lisbon’s Victor Gyokeres is also a target for the Gunners.
Arsenal missed out on Nico Williams after Barcelona agreed terms with the Spaniard. They are now linked with an alternative, 23-year-old Chelsea star Noni Madueke.
Noni Madueke in action for Chelsea during the Club World Cup match vs Los Angeles FC
Photo by Marcio Machado/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
What Arsenal need to do to sign Chelsea star Noni Madueke
Reputable journalist Ben Jacobs has claimed that while Chelsea are not actively looking to sell Madueke, they could be tempted if the right offer arrives.
Jacobs noted that new manager Enzo Maresca likes the profile of the right-winger. However, there is stiff competition in that area.
Pedro Neto prefers playing on the right, Cole Palmer was deployed there in Chelsea’s recent defeat to Flamengo, and Estevao, who joins from Palmeiras, also has a history of playing off the right despite wanting a central role.
Arsenal have been linked with Madueke, and recent transfer dealings between the two clubs suggest they will be open to doing business again.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Jacobs said: “Yeah, I think Noni Madueke is a really interesting situation because obviously you got Estevao coming in. He wants to play central, but he’s a right-sided player as far as his history with Palmeiras is concerned. You’ve got Pedro Neto, who prefers to play on the right.
“Yesterday, I was watching Chelsea’s disappointing loss to Flamengo and Cole Palmer was used on the right-hand side.
“So, therefore, there is a window of opportunity, potentially, although Enzo Maresca really likes the profile of Noni Madueke.
“So I don’t think that Chelsea are really putting Madueke up for sale but if the right price and suit come along, there might be an opportunity. We know, for example, with Kai Havertz and Raheem Sterling’s loan, that Chelsea and Arsenal are prepared to do business.”
Would Noni Madueke want to join Arsenal given his role preference
From Madueke’s perspective, though, Arsenal might not be the ideal destination.
Bukayo Saka is the established starter on the right for Arteta’s side, and exciting youngster Ethan Nwaneri is emerging in the same role. Madueke would likely want guaranteed minutes, which Arsenal may not be able to offer.
However, there is interest from elsewhere as well, with Jacobs mentioning Newcastle and Nottingham Forest as two clubs also keen on signing the ‘breathtaking‘ Chelsea star. Jacobs said:
“The only thing about Arsenal and Madueke which leaps out to me is my understanding is Arsenal want to strengthen on the left-hand side.
“On the right, you’ve got Bukayo Saka, you got Nwaneri. Madueke will want to play every single week, and perhaps there’s not a fit there.
“Arsenal haven’t made an approach at this point and Chelsea are not offering Madueke around but more generally than Arsenal, Madueke’s future is one to watch.
“Newcastle United have looked at him in the past. I think that Nottingham Forest are keen if they lose one of their right-sided or central players as well. So, Madueke’s future could be a topic of conversation, but Chelsea are certainly not forcing him out at this stage.”
Mikel Arteta’s priority remains signing a left-winger, so it remains to be seen whether Arsenal will actively pursue Madueke. But if they do, they know what it will take to tempt Chelsea to the table.