Mikel Arteta looks to strengthen his squad ahead of the 2025/26 season in which he will attempt, yet again, to finally win the elusive Premier League. Arsenal have reportedly bid for Noni Madueke, though Chelsea want a higher fee.
Arsenal Submit Initial Noni Madueke Bid for £50 Million
Chelsea Want More After Anthony Elanga Deal
Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Arsenal have now made their “initial bid” for Madueke. The package stands at approximately £50 million with all add-ons included.
However, Chelsea reportedly want more than £50 million, and they want this deal to be as a fixed fee. This would mean that there would be no add-ons: they would want payment as an up-front price. Romano reports that the Blues are using Anthony Elanga’s transfer (amongst other similar deals) to gauge an asking fee. The Swede is set to join Newcastle United from Nottingham Forest for around £55 million.
Read More:Transfer Fee Agreement ‘Very Close’ As Arsenal Already Have ‘Total Agreement’ With ‘Europe’s Deadliest Striker’
Therefore Arsenal’s bid falls below what Chelsea are asking for, though a price higher than Elanga’s seems steep considering Forest’s winger has just come off an exceptional season, and is a lot more important to the Tricky Trees than Madueke is to Chelsea. Both wingers are the same age.
Would Noni Madueke Start at The Emirates?
This news comes just after it was revealed by Romano that any rumours of Gabriel Martinelli moving to Saudi Arabia were “wide of the mark”. If Madueke was to play at left-wing, he would have to compete with the Brazilian, who was once Arteta’s golden boy, as well as Leandro Trossard who has been a strong contributor over the last two and a half seasons.
Read More:Arsenal Make Bid for Tottenham Hotspur Target Described by Thomas Frank as “Late Bloomer”
Alternatively, the “lightning fast” forward could be the back-up to Bukayo Saka. Arsenal’s right-winger has begun to suffer some injury problems; not only could Madueke fill in at these times, he could even help prevent them by rotating with Saka. We could see the current Chelsea man starting for Arsenal in early Champions League matches, or lower-stakes Premier League ones.
Regardless, Arteta appears to be making wise decisions as he brings in reinforcements for his forward line. Viktor Gyokeres looks likely to join, who will have Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus as back-ups. Meanwhile, Madueke would become the fourth winger at the club, and that’s before considering Ethan Nwaneri and Reiss Nelson. Depth-wise, this is a smart move.