Arsenal have held talks to sign yet another Chelsea player, according to a reliable transfer source. Surely not again?
Arsenal have held a new round of talks over a potential move for Chelsea winger Noni Madueke, according to @FabrizioRomano. While there are no advanced negotiations between the clubs yet, the Gunners are maintaining regular contact as they weigh up a summer swoop.
Madueke, 23, is now a full England international with seven senior caps, having graduated from the U21 setup. He featured regularly for Chelsea last season, contributing pace and flair from the right flank, and his availability has sparked interest across the Premier League.
Arsenal view Madueke as a potential backup and rotation option for Bukayo Saka, who carried a heavy workload last season. But it remains to be seen whether the former PSV man would accept that secondary role after being a consistent starter for Chelsea. His explosive style and ability to drive at defenders would make him a valuable addition to Mikel Arteta’s squad, but fitting him into the team dynamic may be a challenge.
Chelsea, having already added several attacking options this summer, are now open to selling Madueke. However, they are demanding a fee of £50million – a valuation that appears steep given the player’s relative inconsistency and the financial pressures on buying clubs. At that price, Arsenal are probably better off looking elsewhere for more value.
The likes of Johan Bakayoko – younger, cheaper, and already on the club’s radar – could represent a smarter investment, especially with long-term squad planning in mind.
