Arsenal have completed the signing of England international Noni Madueke from Chelsea in a transfer deal worth up to £52 million. The winger becomes the seventh player to switch from Stamford Bridge to the Emirates in the past six years.
The North London club confirmed on Friday that it will pay Chelsea an initial fee of £48.5 million, with an additional £3.5 million in performance-related add-ons. Madueke has signed a five-year contract and becomes Arsenal’s fourth signing of the summer.
The 23-year-old, who primarily plays on the right wing but can also operate on the left, made 92 appearances for Chelsea, scoring 20 goals. He arrived at the club from PSV Eindhoven in 2023 for £29 million.
Madueke’s time at Chelsea included key roles in their UEFA Conference League victory last season and the Club World Cup win in the United States. Despite this, his form has been inconsistent. He began last season with a hat-trick against Wolves but managed only seven more goals and three assists across 32 Premier League appearances.
Reactions to the transfer have been mixed. Some Arsenal supporters have questioned the rationale behind signing another winger, especially one seen as a direct positional rival to Bukayo Saka. A recent Sky Sports poll indicated that a majority of fans viewed the signing unfavourably, and a petition against the deal has been circulating online.
Paul Merson, a former Arsenal midfielder and Sky Sports pundit, described the move as “shocking.” In his words, “If Arsenal went and bought any player from Chelsea, [Madueke] would have been the last one I thought they’d sign. He’s not consistent, and £52 million is a lot for a player who’s not a guaranteed starter.”
Merson further speculated that the transfer could be linked to strategic planning for the possible departure of Saka. “Call me a cynic,” he said, “but is there another reason why they are doing this deal? Are there concerns about the future of Saka?”
Arsenal, however, have not suggested that Madueke’s arrival is related to any exit plans for the England star. Club officials maintain that the signing adds depth and competition in the attacking positions as Arsenal prepare for a return to Champions League football.
Chelsea’s head coach Enzo Maresca also confirmed the winger’s departure, noting that the decision to sell came from the player. “Nobody told Noni he had to leave,” Maresca said. “If he is happy, we are happy.”
Madueke joins a list of players who have moved directly from Chelsea to Arsenal in recent years, including Kai Havertz, Jorginho, and David Luiz. He follows goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, midfielder Martin Zubimendi, and Christian Norgaard as part of Arsenal’s summer recruitment drive.
Neither Arsenal nor Chelsea has disclosed whether a sell-on clause or future incentives were included in the deal.
