LONDON – Chelsea winger Noni Madueke is on his way to Arsenal in a deal worth more than £50 million, marking one of the most unexpected cross-London transfers of the summer.
According to sources familiar with the agreement, Chelsea have given the green light for the move, with add-ons included in the final fee. Madueke, 22, has already signed a five-year contract with Arsenal and is expected to complete his move in the coming days.
The deal, first reported on Thursday, has stirred strong reaction among Chelsea supporters – with some fans even suggesting striker Nicolas Jackson should be next to leave.
“Take Jackson too while you’re at it,” one fan wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “No end product. Clear the whole front line.”
Though many Chelsea fans remain hopeful about the club’s young squad under new head coach Enzo Maresca, others have grown weary after another transitional season and a string of inconsistent attacking displays.
Madueke arrived at Stamford Bridge from PSV Eindhoven in January 2023. While highly rated for his pace and flair, the England international never quite found regular form or fitness in a Chelsea shirt. His departure may come as a surprise to some, but the fee agreed and Arsenal’s long-standing interest made the deal hard to turn down.
Jackson, who joined from Villarreal in the same window, had a mixed campaign last season. He scored 14 goals across competitions but often split opinion with his finishing and decision-making.
There is no indication that Chelsea are actively shopping Jackson, but fan frustration has once again brought his name into the spotlight – this time in the wake of a high-profile exit that few saw coming.
At Arsenal, Mikel Arteta is said to view Madueke as a key addition. The Gunners are preparing for a season in which they hope to challenge once again for the Premier League title and go deeper in Europe. With Bukayo Saka often carrying the creative load from the right flank, Madueke’s arrival is seen as a way to bolster depth and add an unpredictable option.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are expected to remain active in the window. Whether more exits follow remains to be seen. But for now, one thing is clear -Madueke’s move has not gone unnoticed in west London.
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