Arsenal are on the verge of finalizing the signing of Chelsea winger Noni Madueke after months of monitoring and negotiations.
The 23-year-old England international has long been on Arsenal’s radar, with sporting director Andrea Berta previously identifying him as a prime candidate to strengthen the club’s attacking options.
Recent reports suggest that significant progress has been made, and Arsenal are now closer than ever to completing the transfer.
According to sources, a breakthrough came on Thursday night when the two Premier League clubs reportedly reached an agreement over the transfer fee. Arsenal are said to have agreed to pay £52 million to secure Madueke’s services.
On the player’s side, personal terms have already been settled, with Madueke giving his green light to the move. All signs indicate that the winger is ready to become a Gunners player, but one key hurdle still remains.
Despite the agreement, Chelsea have yet to permit Madueke to undergo his medical with Arsenal — a standard step before any transfer is officially completed. The reason for this delay is somewhat unusual.
As reported by talkSPORT’s Jack Cunningham, Chelsea are insisting that Madueke remain available for selection for their upcoming FIFA Club World Cup final clash against Paris Saint-Germain.
Although the deal with Arsenal is close to completion, the Blues still regard Madueke as an important asset for what could be one of the biggest matches of their season.
This stance is reportedly being driven by Chelsea’s new manager, Enzo Maresca, who is eager to have every key player at his disposal for the high-stakes final.
Madueke made a notable impact in the semi-final, and Maresca believes his presence could be vital in the showdown against the French giants. From Chelsea’s perspective, keeping the winger available for one last decisive match makes sense competitively.
However, this has created a dilemma for Arsenal. While they understand Chelsea’s reasoning, the Gunners are concerned about the potential consequences.
Allowing Madueke to play in such a physically demanding and high-pressure fixture before officially joining them is a major gamble. If he were to get injured during the final, it could delay or even jeopardize the transfer — not to mention disrupt Arsenal’s preseason plans.
Therefore, although it may seem strict or even unfriendly, Arsenal’s best course of action might be to push for Madueke’s immediate withdrawal from Chelsea’s squad.
With the deal nearly done and a significant investment at stake, ensuring the player’s fitness and availability for Arsenal’s campaign must now take precedence.
