DONE DEAL: Arsenal confirm another transfer signing as Premier League most dangerous attacker join on six-years deal
Arsenal have been speaking to Chelsea about a potential summer transfer move for Noni Madueke, according to the Independent journalist Miguel Delaney.
The Blues want £50 million for the England international, which is not a price the Gunners want to go to right now, but there is a possibility a deal may be revived later in the summer after reports of their interest in him first emerged last week.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta wants a new number 9 and RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko is his main target.
However, both clubs are currently £8.5m apart in their valuation of the Slovenian, which has seen Madueke emerge as a plan B should a deal for Sesko fall through despite primarily being a winger.
The 23-year-old plays on both wings and was in brilliant form last term, weighing in with 11 goals and five assists in 43 appearances and earning a call-up to the last England squad.
He laid on Harry Kane’s winner against Andorra in the last international camp, leading Three Lions manager Thomas Tuchel to dub him ‘the most dangerous’ player during the game.
Arsenal want a left winger and could also do with a cover for Bukayo Saka on the right, and Madueke, who can also feature as a number 9, fits the bill.
He bagged eight goals and four assists in 2023-24 and is capable of adding much-needed quality to the Gunners attack due to his experience and exciting style of play.
The fast Madueke is an excellent dribbler and finisher who knows how to hold on to the ball brilliantly well, and Arsenal could do with those qualities in the final third.
It can be argued that he is an upgrade on Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, but Chelsea have to lower their demands for Arsenal to pursue a deal, and more talks between the clubs are expected in the coming weeks.
