After a brief bit of drama about whether Noni Madueke would be allowed to leave Chelsea before the Club World Cup final to complete his £52m move to Arsenal, the 23-year-old winger has today been “given permission” to leave camp and get it done.
Madueke was still in training with us at the Red Bull facilities in Harrison, NJ yesterday, but according to The Athletic, he’s not training with the team today (Friday) and is instead flying back home for the medical. Presumably he’s said all his goodbyes and such.
The timing isn’t necessarily ideal ahead of Sunday’s final, but Madueke had not started any of our three previous knockout round games. Though he came off the bench against both Palmeiras and Fluminense, his departure would’ve been a lot more disruptive if he still were a key starter like earlier this season. With the Arsenal deal all agreed, our balance sheets probably wouldn’t have wanted to risk him sustaining an injury anyway.
I guess this is goodbye then, Noni.
Noni Madueke granted permission by Chelsea to leave camp in USA + undertake medical before completing Arsenal switch. 23yo will not train with #CFC & flies to UK today after full agreement reached on £52m deal - 5yr #AFC contract in place @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/mvhLhft6VM
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) July 11, 2025