Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has all but confirmed the imminent sale of Noni Madueke to Arsenal.
This is coming ahead of his side’s appearance in the Club World Cup final, and fans have been reacting.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of Chelsea’s marquee clash against Paris Saint-Germain, Maresca said that Madueke is currently in contact with the Gunners and the move is as good as done.
According to him, he expects the transfer to be sealed in the next hours because the player has decided to leave.
“Noni is in contact with the new club. I guess he is going to be announced in the next hours. I said in the one of the last press conferences, if players want to leave then it is difficult for the club and the manager. Noni decided to leave, nobody told Noni he had to leave. If he is happy, we are happy,” he said.
The Spanish manager confirmed that Noni will not be taking part in the Club World Cup final because he has been given permission to travel back to London to complete a medical with Arsenal.
A transfer fee of £52 million ($70m) including add-ons has been agreed between the two clubs.
Madueke’s decision comes as something of a surprise since he was a first-team regular for Maresca in the 2024-25 season.
The England international scored 11 times for Chelsea in all competitions, and his club form helped him earn his first senior caps in an England shirt.
