Arsenal appear to be on the verge of completing the signing of Chelsea winger Noni Madueke, a player they’ve admired for some time. The 23-year-old England international had long been on the radar of Andrea Berta, who viewed him as an ideal addition to strengthen Arsenal’s attacking options.
After weeks of speculation and negotiations, the two Premier League clubs reportedly reached an agreement on Thursday night. Arsenal is believed to have settled on a £52 million fee for Madueke, with the player himself also agreeing to personal terms with the North London side.
However, despite the encouraging progress, the transfer has yet to be fully finalized. Chelsea have refused to grant Madueke permission to undergo a medical examination with Arsenal, halting the process for an unusual reason.
According to talkSPORT journalist Jack Cunningham, the Blues want to retain Madueke’s services for one last important match — the FIFA Club World Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain. Though a deal is in place, Chelsea continue to view Madueke as a crucial option for their squad heading into the decisive fixture.
This request from Chelsea’s camp is understandable from a sporting perspective. Madueke has been an influential figure for the club during their campaign, particularly after his strong performance in the semi-final.
Manager Enzo Maresca is eager to have all his best players available for what promises to be a challenging encounter with the French giants. Ensuring squad depth and preserving options in attack is vital for Chelsea as they aim to secure international silverware.
For Arsenal, however, the situation presents a tricky dilemma. Allowing Madueke to feature in a major final just days before his anticipated switch to the Emirates carries considerable risk.
If the winger were to suffer an injury during the match, it could disrupt Arsenal’s transfer plans and delay or even jeopardize the deal. Though it may seem like a tough call, the sensible move for Arsenal would be to safeguard their interests and refuse to permit Madueke’s involvement in the final.
With the transfer almost complete, ensuring their new signing arrives fully fit and ready for the new season must take precedence. While Chelsea’s desire to keep Madueke for the final is understandable, Arsenal’s priority should be protecting the future of their investment.
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