In a stunning transfer twist, Noni Madueke has left Chelsea’s Club World Cup camp in the United States to finalize a £52M Arsenal transfer, with medical tests for Madueke scheduled in England.
The 23-year-old England international, who made 46 appearances for Chelsea last season, is set to join Arsenal FC after both clubs agreed on a deal comprising an initial £48.5M plus £4M in add-ons, as reported by Sky Sports and The Athletic on July 11, 2025.
The move, confirmed by @FabrizioRomano, comes just days before Chelsea’s Club World Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain, raising questions about the timing and impact of the Noni Madueke transfer news.
The Chelsea to Arsenal transfer marks Madueke as the sixth Chelsea player to join the Gunners in seven years, following the likes of Kai Havertz and Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Madueke, who joined Chelsea from PSV Eindhoven in January 2023 for £29M, signed a five-year Arsenal contract until 2030, per The Guardian.
His departure follows Chelsea’s bolstered attack with signings like Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens, and Estêvão Willian, reducing his role under manager Enzo Maresca.
Maresca, addressing the Madueke transfer to Arsenal, stated, “Noni decided to leave. If he is happy, we are happy,” signaling a mutual agreement despite Madueke’s contributions, including a goal in the Conference League final.
Arsenal’s pursuit of Madueke aims to bolster their wing options, providing cover for Bukayo Saka and competition for Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.
Madueke’s versatile winger skills, highlighted by his 33% progressive carry rate in the 2024-25 Premier League season, make him a dynamic addition, per The Athletic.
His 11 goals and five assists last season, including a 14-minute hat-trick against Wolves, showcase his direct dribbling Arsenal appeal.
However, his limited output on the left wing, where Arsenal sought a first-choice forward, has fueled the Arsenal fan backlash Madueke, with a #NoToMadueke hashtag and a petition nearing 4,000 signatures trending on X.
Fans expected targets like Rodrygo or Eberechi Eze, raising concerns about the £52M transfer fee concerns.
Chelsea’s decision to sell aligns with their need to balance books after a UEFA fine for breaching financial fair play rules, as noted by The Guardian.
The Chelsea squad overhaul sees Madueke’s exit as a chance to fund further signings, with Nicolas Jackson also linked to AC Milan.
Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta’s transfer strategy emphasizes Madueke’s potential to develop into a left winger, despite his stronger performances on the right, where he recorded 88% of his Premier League minutes.
His two-footedness and 80 shots last season, per The Standard, add unpredictability to Arsenal’s attack.
The Noni Madueke medical tests are set to finalize the transfer, with documents ready. This move, Arsenal’s fourth summer signing after Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard, aims to enhance their Premier League 2025-26 campaign.
However, the Chelsea-Arsenal rivalry intensifies, with fans divided over whether Madueke’s Premier League winger transfer will elevate Arsenal or prove a costly misstep.
