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Arsenal have swiftly rejected a proposal from Chelsea to include teenage sensation Max Dowman in a potential deal for winger Noni Madueke, according to reports from Hand of Arsenal. The Gunners made it clear that the highly rated 15-year-old midfielder is off-limits, dismissing any suggestion of his involvement in ongoing transfer negotiations.
The proposal reportedly surfaced during early discussions between the two Premier League rivals as Arsenal continue to pursue Madueke, who is open to a move to the Emirates Stadium. Multiple sources, including BBC Sport and The Athletic, have confirmed that the 23-year-old England international has agreed personal terms with Arsenal, though a formal bid is yet to be submitted. Chelsea currently value Madueke at around £50 million following a solid 2024/25 campaign in which he registered 11 goals and five assists in 45 appearances.
In an effort to accelerate negotiations, Chelsea suggested including Dowman in the deal, an idea Arsenal firmly and immediately rejected. The club regard the young attacking midfielder as their “crown jewel” and a key figure in their long-term plans.
Dowman, who turned 15 at the end of 2024, is already making waves in youth football. He became the youngest goalscorer in UEFA Youth League history after finding the net against Atalanta at just 14 years, 8 months, and 19 days old. He has also broken club records as Arsenal’s youngest player in both the Premier League 2 and U18 Premier League competitions, debuting at age 13.
Mikel Arteta with Max Dowman
Mikel Arteta with Max Dowman
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been vocal in his admiration for Dowman’s talent and maturity. “Very impressive, at his age as well. Some of the things he does in training are unbelievable,” Arteta said in January. “He’s a player with huge talent, and we have a lot of belief that we can develop him into one of our own.”
Dowman’s rise has drawn comparisons to legendary playmaker Kaka and Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard. He is reportedly being mentored by Declan Rice alongside fellow academy stars Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Chelsea’s interest in Dowman is not new. Football Transfers previously reported that the Blues, along with Manchester City and Barcelona, have been monitoring the midfielder’s progress. With Dowman unable to sign a professional contract until he turns 17 in 2026, rival clubs view him as a potential target. However, Arsenal are determined to secure his long-term future. Sporting director Andrea Berta is leading efforts to provide a clear first-team pathway to discourage interest from suitors.
The attempt to include Dowman in the Madueke deal underscores Chelsea’s recognition of his exceptional potential but also highlights Arsenal’s resolve to protect their most promising academy talent.
Arsenal’s summer transfer window has already been eventful, with the arrivals of Kepa Arrizabalaga (£5 million), Martin Zubimendi (£51 million) and Christian Norgaard, who is expected to complete a £15 million from Brentford this week. Talks are also advancing with Sporting CP for striker Viktor Gyökeres. The addition of Madueke, capable of playing on either wing, would enhance Arsenal’s depth behind Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli. However, the Gunners remain adamant that no deal will come at the expense of their brightest youth prospects.