Arsenal have reached an agreement with rivals Chelsea to sign winger Noni Madueke for a fee of £52 million, including add-ons, according to multiple reports. The 23-year-old England international is set to bolster Mikel Arteta’s attacking options as the Gunners aim to strengthen their squad ahead of the 2025/26 Premier League season. The deal, which has sparked mixed reactions among Arsenal supporters, marks the club’s fourth signing of the summer and their second acquisition from Chelsea, following goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga’s £5 million move earlier in the window.
Negotiations between the two London clubs progressed rapidly, with personal terms already agreed upon for a five-year contract that will keep Madueke at the Emirates Stadium until June 2030. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed the agreement, stating, “Arsenal and Chelsea have reached a full agreement for Noni Madueke. Here we go!” The winger, currently with Chelsea at the Club World Cup in the United States, is expected to undergo a medical shortly and could be unveiled as an Arsenal player as early as this weekend, though his participation in Chelsea’s final against Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday appears unlikely.
Madueke, a former Tottenham Hotspur academy product who joined Chelsea from PSV Eindhoven in January 2023 for £30 million, has made 92 appearances for the Blues, scoring 20 goals. His versatility to play on either flank, combined with his direct dribbling and ability to take on defenders, makes him an attractive addition for Arteta, who is reportedly a long-time admirer of the player. “Noni is a dynamic, keep-going kind of player that can cause problems in the final third,” said Arsenal legend Sol Campbell, speaking to The Metro. However, Campbell also urged the club to clarify how Madueke fits into their tactical setup to address fan concerns.
The transfer has not been universally welcomed by Arsenal supporters, with some launching an online petition titled “#NoToMadueke,” which has garnered nearly 4,000 signatures. The petition argues that “Arsenal fans deserve better,” expressing skepticism about the £52 million fee for a player perceived as inconsistent. Despite this, the club’s hierarchy believes Madueke’s potential and Premier League experience will provide valuable depth, particularly as cover for Bukayo Saka, who has been overworked in recent seasons, and as a potential option on the left wing to compete with Gabriel Martinelli.
Chelsea’s willingness to sell Madueke is partly driven by their need to balance the books after heavy spending on forwards like Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens, and Joao Pedro. Head coach Enzo Maresca, speaking after Chelsea’s Club World Cup semi-final win over Fluminense, hinted at the club’s openness to player departures, saying, “My message to the players and to the club is that I want just players that are happy to be with us. The ones that are not happy, they are free to go.” This stance likely paved the way for Madueke’s move, which will see Chelsea pocket a profit of over £20 million.