By Emeka Blast 
Chelsea Presented with Noni Madueke–Arsenal Swap Opportunity Amid £25m Transfer Bid
Chelsea have been presented with a surprising opportunity to offload winger Noni Madueke to rivals Arsenal in a potential swap deal, following a £25m transfer approach from the Gunners, according to reports from football.london. The 23-year-old England international, who joined Chelsea from PSV Eindhoven for £28.5m in January 2023, has caught the attention of Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who is keen to bolster his attacking options for the 2025/26 season.
Sources indicate that Arsenal have initiated talks with Madueke’s representatives, with a £25m offer reportedly tabled, though no formal bid has been submitted to Chelsea. Sky Sports Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg noted that Arsenal’s interest is genuine, but Madueke is hesitant about competing with Bukayo Saka for a right-wing spot or playing out of position on the left, where he has struggled in the past. Chelsea, meanwhile, are open to selling Madueke, with The Athletic reporting that he is not considered an “untouchable” player, and a fee closer to £50m would be required to finalize any deal.
The proposed swap deal could involve players moving in both directions, as Chelsea look to balance their books after spending nearly £200m on new signings, including Joao Pedro (£60m from Brighton) and Liam Delap (£30m from Ipswich Town). Arsenal’s interest in Madueke comes as they seek a versatile winger to complement Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Leandro Trossard, with The Guardian suggesting the Gunners view Madueke as a potential backup rather than a guaranteed starter. However, The Standard argues that the move may not suit either party, as Madueke’s inconsistent end product and Arsenal’s need for a marquee signing raise questions about the transfer’s logic.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has publicly backed Madueke, stating before their Club World Cup loss to Flamengo, “Noni is our player, you can read a lot of speculation at the moment, but we consider Noni our player for the coming season.” Despite this, the imminent arrival of Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens and Palmeiras’ Estevao Willian could push Madueke further down the pecking order, making a departure more likely. Posts on X reflect mixed sentiment, with @clinicalkai claiming Chelsea are prepared to cover £25m of Madueke’s fee in a swap deal, though this remains unverified by primary sources like Fabrizio Romano, who clarified no formal proposal has been made.
Madueke’s record of 20 goals and nine assists in 90 appearances for Chelsea highlights his potential, but his lack of consistency has divided fans. @ChelsTransfer on X noted the £50m valuation, suggesting Arsenal’s £25m approach falls short, while @thebottomcorna emphasized Madueke’s reluctance to join Arsenal due to limited playing time. As Chelsea prepare to face Palmeiras in the Club World Cup quarter-finals, the transfer rumor mill continues to swirl, with the Blues’ financial strategy and Arsenal’s title ambitions driving the narrative.
