ARSENAL have reportedly agreed a deal with Chelsea to sign Noni Madueke.
The winger is set to sign for the Gunners for £52million, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Chelsea have accepted the offer and given the deal the green light.
Madueke, 23, has agreed a five-year deal with Arsenal.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta sees Madueke’s versatility as a big plus as he can operate on either flank.
And the player is convinced he can nail down a starting place at the Emirates despite slipping out of Enzo Maresca’s plans at Chelsea.
Furious Gunners fans have reacted angrily to the pursuit of Madueke and 4,000 have signed a petition demanding their club swerve a deal.
Madueke has been in New York while Chelsea prepare for Sunday’s Club World Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain.
The 23-year-old trained with his Blues team-mates on Thursday morning.
He has started just two of the Blues’ six games in the tournament.
The Gunners have moved quickly to reach an agreement following talks with Chelsea.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is a big fan of Madueke due to his versatility – able to play on either the right or left wing.
Madueke, a seven-cap England international, joined Chelsea in January 2023 in a £28.5m deal from PSV Eindhoven.
He has since gone on to score 20 goals in 92 matches at Stamford Bridge.
However his arrival has split the fanbase at the Emirates with some supporters even beginning the hashtag #NoToMadueke on X.
And more than 4,000 fans have signed a petition urging the club NOT to sign him.
Last season he managed fewer Premier League goals and assists than both Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli.
They each scored eight goals to Madueke’s seven while Trossard produced seven assists and Martinelli four – Madueke only managed three.
Arsenal have also been heavily linked with moves for Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres.
The Sporting star is now the Gunners’ No1 striker target but they are still £4.3m away from his £68.9m asking price.
Yesterday the Gunners added Christian Norgaard to their squad — and he cannot wait to listen to the Champions League anthem for the first time.
The Dane has signed from Brentford on a two-year contract with the option of a further 12 months. He cost an initial £10m plus a possible £5m in add-ons.
After six years at the Bees, the midfielder, 31, now gets to live a lifelong dream of playing in Europe’s elite competition with one of the most iconic anthems in football.
Why Mikel Arteta wants Noni Madueke
And Norgaard, who will wear the No 16 jersey, said: “You get emotional because it was a dream I’ve given a bit up on coming towards the later stage in my career.
“Now, I get to hear the anthem and be a part of a Champions League campaign.
“It’s a childhood dream and something I didn’t think would be possible.”
But Norgaard knows the pressure will be ramped up with fans expecting Arteta’s side to challenge for major titles.
During his time at the Bees their highest Prem finish was ninth, while Arsenal have finished second for the last THREE campaigns in a row.
Norgaard said: “I have come from a club where the mindset coming into the Premier League was: ‘How can we survive here?’ At Arsenal it is about winning titles.”
Arteta said: “He is a strong midfielder with excellent versatility.”
Is Noni Madueke the new Mo Salah?
THE sale of Noni Madueke to Arsenal has split the Chelsea fanbase down the middle.
On one hand, £50million represents great value for a player with seven goals and three assists in the Premier League last season, with three goals coming in one standout performance against Wolves.
But on the other, it signals the sale of a player who perhaps epitomises BlueCo’s model better than any other.
Chelsea are in danger of repeating the mistake they made nine years ago when they sold Mo Salah.
And then watched as he fired Liverpool to two Premier League titles and the Champions League
Read more on whether Chelsea’s decision to sell Madueke is likely to backfire on them.
Read the full article here