Noni Madueke with Enzo Maresca
Image credit: Getty Images
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has confirmed that winger Noni Madueke has chosen to leave Stamford Bridge and join Premier League rivals Arsenal in a deal worth £52 million.
Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s FIFA Club World Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday, Maresca addressed the 23-year-old’s impending departure, revealing that the decision to move was entirely initiated by the player.
“If a player wants to leave, then in the end it is difficult for the club and manager,” Maresca said. “And yes, Noni decided to leave. No one said to Noni [Madueke] he has to go, it was his own decision. If he is happy, we are happy.”
The deal between the London clubs includes a base fee of £48 million, with a further £4 million in performance-related add-ons linked to appearances, goals, and team success. The structured agreement reflects Arsenal’s approach of balancing immediate spending with long-term incentives, while Chelsea’s acceptance of the offer also aligns with their financial objectives, particularly in the wake of a UEFA fine for Financial Fair Play breaches.
READ MORE: Breakdown of Noni Madueke’s £52m transfer fee as Arsenal finalise deal
Madueke’s departure comes as Chelsea continue their reshaping under Maresca, with significant investment already made in attacking reinforcements. The Blues have brought in João Pedro (£60m), Jamie Gittens (£48.5m), and Liam Delap (£30m), with Brazilian wonderkid Estêvão and Sporting Lisbon’s Geovany Quenda set to arrive in 2026. The growing competition in the forward line helped pave the way for the exit of Noni Madueke.
Arsenal - Noni Madueke
Noni Madueke (Image credit: Getty Images)
Signed from PSV Eindhoven in January 2023 for £29 million, Madueke made 45 appearances for Chelsea last season, contributing 11 goals and five assists. Despite his role in helping the Blues secure Champions League qualification and winning the UEFA Conference League, his performances were often inconsistent, particularly on the left wing, where he failed to register a single goal or assist in seven starts.
Nonetheless, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta sees the England international as a versatile addition to his attacking unit. Madueke is expected to provide cover and competition for Bukayo Saka on the right flank while offering another option on the left, alongside Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.
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While some Arsenal supporters have expressed skepticism over the £52 million fee, Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta view the winger’s potential, direct style, and ability to operate off both feet as valuable traits that fit into the club’s long-term strategy.
Maresca, meanwhile, praised Madueke’s professionalism despite the surrounding transfer speculation. The winger featured in Chelsea’s Club World Cup semi-final against Palmeiras and delivered a solid performance off the bench.
“We had the same noise before the Palmeiras game, and we gave him half an hour, he was very good,” Maresca noted. “I don’t have any doubts that if we need Noni, he will help us. I can understand that as a human being, when there is a lot of noise around you, it’s not easy to deal with, but hopefully he can.”
The signing of Noni Madueke marks Arsenal’s second signing from Chelsea this summer, following the earlier acquisition of goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
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