Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has confirmed that winger Noni Madueke is on the verge of completing a move to Arsenal. A £52 million deal was agreed between the London rivals.
The 23-year-old has left Chelsea’s Club World Cup squad ahead of their final against PSG. He left to undergo a medical in London, with official confirmation of the transfer expected within hours.
Speaking in a pre-match press conference, Maresca was candid about the situation:
“Noni is in contact with the new club,” Maresca said. “I guess he is going to be (announced) in the next hours.”
“I said in one of the last press conferences, if players want to leave then it is difficult for the club and the manager. Noni decided to leave, nobody told Noni he had to leave. If he is happy, we are happy.”
Madueke, who joined Chelsea from PSV Eindhoven in January 2023, struggled to cement a consistent starting spot under various managers, despite showing flashes of his potential. His move to Arsenal makes him the latest player to cross the London divide.
He will bolster Mikel Arteta’s attacking options, particularly on the right wing.
The deal adds to Arsenal’s proactive summer window, with other targets such as Eberechi Eze, Rodrygo, and Cristhian Mosquera also on the radar.
