At last, it seems Arsenal are ramping up their striker pursuit as they have enquired about a move for *checks notes*, um, Chelsea winger Noni Madueke.
Interest in the 23-year-old has split opinion, with some fans lauding his merit as a back-up option and others raising questions of his readiness to impact a title-challenging side. The Blues connection (not another one!) likely does not help his cause.
But Mikel Arteta stands undeterred and is at least tweaking our new, ‘buy-from-Chelsea’ tradition as, unlike past arrivals, Madueke is a young prospect; his best years in football are still very much ahead of him.
Two positives and two negatives of an Arsenal move for Chelsea winger Noni Madueke
The club are convinced by his talents, so here are two positives and two negatives to help you decide if they are right.
Positive #1: He can be a deputy for Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke
Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke could be teammates next season | Visionhaus/GettyImages
No one will be happier to see Madueke arrive than our Starboy.
For so long, Arsenal have largely neglected the attack and left Bukayo Saka to carry the RW can on his own. This grim claim is backed up by our transfer business since Arteta was first appointed as, in that time, only Raheem Sterling was ever signed as RW cover.
And he performed so badly that the boss hardly used him even when Saka was out for three months, registering just 528 minutes – the equivalent of almost six matches – across all competitions during that period.
So, perhaps Madueke can be the knight in shining armour? He certainly bears a few Saka-esque skills like being two-footed and physically strong (essential for keeping PL defenders at bay), while his lively movement could add a new dynamic/sense of unpredictability that the team never got in other Saka replacements/rotation options.
He is wanted as rotation and seems to fit the bill.
Negative #1: He is too expensive
Arsenal FC v FC Shakhtar Donetsk - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD3
Should Mikel Arteta sanction such an expensive deal? | Crystal Pix/MB Media/GettyImages
Speaking of bills…
I applied this logic to Moises Caicedo, it resurfaced for Alexander Isak, and it could be a huge sticking point in the Madueke negotiations.
Rumours suggest Chelsea will hold out for around £50m and you would only expect Arsenal to baulk at that figure. It sounds unreasonable given how he cost the Blues £30m just two years ago and has hardly set the world alight since then, recording a goal or assist every three games for them in the Premier League last year.
Their asking price looks even worse when considered next to our other aims this summer (a new left winger, striker, defender and a possible Eberechi Eze deal) and the fact that he is sought for a back-up role, even if any second-in-command should be of comparable talent.
At least Sterling bore minimal cost; Madueke will require a big transfer fee (albeit probably quite little in wages) and his time at Chelsea would leave one unconvinced that he is worth it.
Positive #2: He is not THAT bad an option
Frankie Amaya, Noni Madueke
Madueke has demonstrated his wide range of skills at Chelsea | Eurasia Sport Images/GettyImages
‘Plays for Chelsea’, as jarring as it is, might not be the best argument for why Arsenal should look for other targets.
Yes, our record on that front is ‘meh’ at best (remember Willian? David Luiz?) and Madueke does not excite fans like Rodrygo or Nico Williams might do. But he is still a fine player and could prove to be a wonderful addition to the Gunners ranks.
In addition to the traits noted above, the Blues man is also well versed in English football and so will require no adaptation period – not a deal-breaker in any case, though it is relevant for a young player who is still in need of development.
Furthermore, he boasts that coveted non-negotiable of ‘versatility’, with Madueke being capable of performing anywhere across the frontline or even in the CAM role. His home-grown status is another nice bonus, especially as our other targets/signings (Martin Zubimendi, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Christian Norgaard) will quickly fill up the NHG quota.
Madueke might be a great option to have and, as an extra treat, he has past experience of playing in red and white.
Convinced?
Negative #2: There could be better options
Rodrygo
Fans will not be happy if this deal stops Arsenal signing Rodrygo | Stephen Nadler/ISI Photos/GettyImages
We know Eze will not affect any winger deal. However, if Madueke was to derail any Rodrygo move, then there could be all-out war.
£50m is a lot of money and his Chelsea efforts – as good or mediocre as one might view them – do not justify that sort of investment. The fact he is poor defensively (albeit within a different system to the one he would find at Arsenal) only serves to further stunt our enthusiasm; defending is not his primary concern, but he must be able to play his part.
For all his quality, Madueke has lots to work on – not just at the back, his end product is average too – and the money involved is far too much for a ‘project signing’, especially as our trophy expectations are at a 20-year high.
There is no real comparison here to Rodrygo as the finances of that deal would far exceed anything Chelsea might demand. However, it still accounts for a big chunk of our overall budget and looks far from being a true ‘market opportunity’.
I wonder can Mikel Merino play RW?