Noni Madue of Action for Chelsea against Manchester United last season (Photo: Sean Botteril/Getty Images)
Arsenal feels they have a good price for Noni Madueke. Mikel Arteta is asking for this signature as he believes he can be a key part of the first team.
That’s according to his exclusive latest edition of Charles Watts Catch off side The column explains that the journalists are not just bringing Madueke as a backup.
While some Arsenal fans aren’t very happy with their contract with Chelsea winger, Watts believes they can become someone who will prove their fans wrong, as Kai Herberts has done in the past.
Madueke had a Chelsea player moment, but perhaps two and a half years didn’t do enough to solidify his position as a regular starter.
So it would probably be very surprised to see Arsenal then decide that he can come in and have a big impact.
Mikel Arteta is a huge fan of Noni Maduke
Still, Arteta seems keen to put Maduke in because he appreciates England International so highly, but the club finds this to be a good business for them.
“I know Arsenal is very pleased with the price they paid,” Watts said.
“They believe that other players on Madueke’s profile are in good agreement with what moved this summer, and they assert that in a few years, people will see it as a great business.
“Mikel Arteta is really pushing for this deal. He believes Madueke can thrive in an Arsenal-like environment and doesn’t consider him a backup. He plays a lot of games, whether it’s on the right or on the left.”
Arsenal signs yet another player for Chelsea
But Watts admits that seeing many players at Chelsea’s Arsenal is a bit of a hassle.
Jorgiño and Herberts are recent examples, but others like Willian and David Lewis have also been moving in recent years, as did Raheem Sterling last season.
Even this summer, goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga traded the Stamford Bridge for Emirates Stadium.
“I’m not the biggest fan of Noni Maduke Move, mainly because it’s been a bit cumbersome to see Arsenal consistently sign players to Chelsea players,” says Watts.
“That shouldn’t be a problem, but it helps a lot of people. Also, given that he has Bukayosaka before him in the pecking order, I feel the fees are a bit high for players who are far from guaranteed starters.”