With the arrivals of João Pedro and Jamie Gittens this week, not to mention UEFA fines revealing Chelsea’s increasingly immediate need to balance our books, the exit rumors surrounding Noni Madueke have only grown in volume and plausibility.
And sure enough, Arsenal appear to be following through on their credited interest and intent to acquire the 23-year-old winger, having agreed personal terms with him today, as reported by David Ornstein and Fabrizio Romano. Yes, there’s mention of “project” and “Mikel Arteta”.
Neither Madueke nor Chelsea are said to be pushing for this exit, but it was also said that we’d be happy to collect £50m in return and maybe even settle for £40m, which in today’s market would be a decent deal for the Gunners. Talks between the two clubs have not started however, so this may drag on for a while depending on our willingness (desperation?) to do business.
Enzo Maresca was asked about Madueke’s future after last night’s Club World Cup quarterfinal victory, and he gave an answer that was a message not for Noni but, also not not-for-Noni.
“Noni has been very important for us during this season. Today, again, he has been important.
“But my message to the players and to the club is that I want just players that are happy to be with us. The ones that are not happy, they are free to go. It’s not for Noni, it’s for all the players we have. But again, Noni has been very good during the season and very good tonight.”
-Enzo Maresca; source: Metro
I guess he’s good as gone then?
Noni Madueke agrees personal terms with Arsenal as they consider approaching Chelsea for England int’l. #AFC have 23yo green light + strong relations with #CFC but no club-to-club talks yet. Firm option to bolster on both wings. W/ @SebSB @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/d1ZrHPwyMD
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) July 5, 2025