Noni Madueke leaves Club World Cup camp to complete Arsenal move, Enzo Maresca confirms

Madueke is expected to complete his transfer to Arsenal imminently

Enzo Maresca has all but confirmed Noni Madueke’s imminent switch Arsenal after revealing that the winger has left the Chelsea camp ahead of the Club World Cup final.

Madueke looks set to become the latest player to swap blue for red in London after a £48.5m fee was agreed between the two clubs, with Chelsea giving him permission to undergo a medical.

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The 23-year-old will subsequently play no part in Chelsea’s bid to become world champions as they take on Paris Saint-Germain in New Jersey on Sunday.

“Noni is in contact with the new club,” he told a press conference. “I guess he is going to be (announced) in the next hours.”

Maresca has long been complimentary about Madueke, who last season earned his maiden call-up to the England national team, causing some to wonder why this sale has been sanctioned.

The Italian manager has revealed that Madueke’s departure stemmed from the player’s own desire to leave.

"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,” he added. “Noni decided to leave, nobody told Noni he had to leave. If he is happy, we are happy."

Madueke, who made the switch to Stamford Bridge from PSV Eindhoven in 2023, would follow Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga – who also joined from Chelsea – and Christian Norgaard in moving to the Emirates this summer.

Madueke scored 11 times for Chelsea across all competitions last season and was rewarded with his first senior international appearances under England interim manager Lee Carsley and his permanent successor Thomas Tuchel.

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