Chelsea star Noni Madueke's stance on Arsenal transfer emerges amid Gunners' Eberechi Eze pursuit

Noni Madueke is reportedly open to a move to Arsenal, following reports that the Gunners have begun discussions with Chelsearegarding a potential transfer.

The 23-year-old winger, who made the switch from PSV to the Blues for £28million in January 2023, has had a somewhat inconsistent stint in west London. While he has dazzled Stamford Bridge fans on occasion, his performances have also been equally frustrating at times.

Although Madueke is thought to be happy at Chelsea, he appears open to the idea of moving across the capital if an agreement can be reached between the two clubs this summer.

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It's reported that Arsenal have maintained regular contact with the England player's representatives and, while no firm developments have emerged yet, European reports suggest they're contemplating making a formal bid in the coming weeks.

Chelsea aren't actively seeking to offload Madueke, but could reportedly be swayed by an offer around the £50m mark. The recent acquisition of Joao Pedro from Brighton, the impending signing of Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, and the forthcoming addition of Brazilian prodigy Estevao Willian – signed from Palmeiras last year – have significantly strengthened the club's attacking arsenal.

Given the heightened competition for spots, Chelsea might find it hard to reject a significant offer for Madueke, especially if the player starts worrying about limited chances for regular play next season.

Consequently, Arsenal are closely monitoring the situation, although their interest in Madueke isn't anticipated to impact their ongoing pursuit of Eberechi Eze, reports the Mirror.Mikel Arteta's team have identified theCrystal Palace ace as one of their primary transfer targets this summer.

However, with substantial funds also required to secure a new centre forward, Arsenal aren't yet ready to fully commit to a move for Eze. Palace are hesitant to let go, but they would be unable to stop a departure if Eze's £68m release clause is activated.

The clause specifies that the fee must be paid in three instalments: one-third upfront, another third in the summer of 2026, and the final payment in 2027. There are rumours that Arsenal are looking into ways to make the deal more flexible, either by extending the payment terms or suggesting a player-plus-cash deal to lower the overall cost.

However, Palace are standing their ground, showing little willingness to stray from the strict conditions of Eze's release clause. Eze, 27, is reportedly open to the move. A lifelong Arsenal supporter who spent time in the club's academy, the midfielder would not only bring technical prowess in the final third but also valuable versatility in positioning.

Throughout his career, he has demonstrated versatility by playing on both wings, as a No. 10, and in central midfield, and his goal-scoring prowess is on the rise, netting 15 times for club and country last season.

Similarly, London-born Madueke brings a dynamic skill set to the table. Under Enzo Maresca at Chelsea, he has played on both the right and left flanks, scoring a career-high 11 goals in all competitions in the 2024/25 season.

With both Madueke and Eze offering flexibility, attacking flair, and untapped potential, Arsenal's interest clearly indicates their intention to rejuvenate and diversify their forward line for the upcoming season.

Despite financial limitations and potential negotiation obstacles, the Gunners are positioning themselves to act swiftly should the opportunity present itself – potentially marking a crucial few weeks in the evolution of Arteta's squad.