Chelsea Demand £60m for Noni Madueke as Arsenal Push for Big-Name Winger Signing
Arsenal Zero in on Chelsea's Noni Madueke After Transfer Setback
Chelsea have dangled a £60 million price tag on Noni Madueke, just as Arsenal are looking to spend big on a new winger. After Arsenal’s hopes for Nico Williams were dashed—he’s now packing his bags for Barcelona—the Gunners pivoted fast. Madueke, the England international who switched from PSV Eindhoven to Chelsea in January 2023, is now their prime target for the 2025-26 season. Arsenal wasted no time and have reportedly begun serious talks with Chelsea management to get the deal moving.
This chase comes during a messy time for Chelsea’s attack. Mykhailo Mudryk is sidelined by a ban, Jadon Sancho isn’t sticking around after his return to Manchester United, and manager Enzo Maresca is only just settling into his new job. Normally, a team thin on wingers wouldn’t let a key attacking option go, but Chelsea’s approach is far from typical. Despite Madueke’s flashes of brilliance—he posted 11 goals and six assists last season—he’s still not a guaranteed starter every week, and the club feels they can cash in while demand is high.
Chelsea’s Transfer Calculus: Why Madueke Is on the Market
New boss Maresca is ready to overhaul the squad, and while Chelsea recognize Madueke’s talent, they see him as someone they can let go for the right price. The word behind the scenes is that Chelsea feel ready to cover their losses due to strong confidence in replacements. Palmeiras’ young starlet Estevao Willian is topping their wish list. There’s also talk about moves for exciting prospects like Jamie Gittens, giving Chelsea brass comfort in their decision to listen to offers for Madueke.
Although Arsenal seems to be leading the race, they’re not alone. Both Napoli and Newcastle United are keeping tabs on the situation, looking to pounce if negotiations stall. But Arsenal are determined not to miss out again after the Williams disappointment. Sources hint that manager Mikel Arteta is especially keen on adding Madueke’s pace and creativity to his attacking setup, believing the Chelsea man could be a natural fit out wide.
Madueke’s numbers, especially for a player still finding his feet in the Premier League, are solid. Eleven goals and six assists in a season don’t lie. But it’s that inconsistency—going from match-winner to barely noticeable in the space of a few games—that makes Chelsea willing to sell while his stock is high. If Arsenal can secure Madueke, it would signal serious intent for their 2025-26 campaign—and possibly put a dent in their rivals’ squad depth at the same time.