Arsenal reach Noni Madueke agreement as next transfer steps with Chelsea clear

Arsenal have reportedly agreed personal terms with Noni Madueke as they consider approaching rivals Chelsea over a deal.

It had been reported ahead of the weekend that the Gunners hold an interest in the Blues' 23-year-old winger. As already made clear by football.london, attacking reinforcements are on the agenda for Mikel Arteta, whose squad return for pre-season training on Monday.

Meanwhile at Stamford Bridge the arrival of fellow Englishman Jamie Gittens has just been announced. Arsenal and their rivals have already successfully negotiated one deal between themselves this week, with goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga joining the Gunners for £5m, and now signs point towards the possibility of another.

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David Ornstein, the source of the original Madueke update for The Athletic, has claimed the agreement of personal terms between the Chelsea star and Arsenal.

The player has said yes to the move but without club-to-club talks having taken place at this stage.

Madueke is described as being of interest to the Gunners, amongst other attackers, because of his versatility to operate on both flanks, and now the decision must be made to approach Chelsea formally or not.

The England international signed at Stamford Bridge in January 2023 from Dutch Eredivisie club PSV Eindhoven in a deal worth £28m. He has gone on to make 91 appearances, scoring 20 goals and providing nine assists.

Madueke is currently a part of the Blues squad that are taking part in the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States between the 2024/25 and 2025/26 campaigns.

He has started twice, emerged as a substitute twice and remained on the bench once during the five games Maresca's side have played. Overnight they defeated Brazilian club Palmeiras to set up a semi-final vs Fluminense in New Jersey.

Fabrizio Romano adds that Madueke hasn't asked to leave his team's camp amid discussions with Arsenal, intending to focus on the effort to win the Club World Cup before his future is resolved.

Responding to rumours in the US, Maresca said: "Noni has been very important for us. But 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. Noni has been very good during the season."