Noni Madueke responds to Bukayo Saka amid Arsenal transfer rumours
Noni Madueke has responded to Bukayo Saka on social media amid reports linking him with a move to Arsenal from Chelsea this summer.
Madueke enjoyed a decent season for Chelsea in 2024/25, as he registered 11 goals and five assists in 44 appearances, while playing a key part in their Conference League triumph.
The Blues have been busy in the transfer market so far this summer, though, and his future at Stamford Bridge looks uncertain as Chelsea close in on signing Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund.
Former scout Mick Brown told Football Insider back in April that Chelsea were set to accept offers for Madueke this summer, amid interest from both Tottenham and Aston Villa.
It is another London club that looks set to snap him up this summer though, after Arsenal agreed personal terms with Madueke last week, and he has now fuelled those rumours by interacting with Saka on social media.
Madueke likes Saka’s training post on Instagram
Former scout Mick Brown told Football Insider on Monday, 7 July, that Arsenal are set to step up their efforts to sign Madueke in the coming days with a formal offer for his services.
Enzo Maresca’s concerns about Madueke’s attitude mean he looks set to make the move across the capital soon, and he recently moved to leave a like on potential future teammate Bukayo Saka’s Instagram post.
The Arsenal winger took to the site on Monday, 7 July, to post a reel of him in training over in the USA ahead of returning to pre-season with the Gunners on 15 July [The Athletic], and as well as Madueke, the likes of Declan Rice, Gabriel Magalhaes, Leandro Trossard, Jurrien Timber, Eberechi Eze, Dom Solanke and Curtis Jones all also liked his post, among others.
Madueke will struggle to start at Arsenal behind Saka
Football Insider verdict
It is always strange to see a player join Arsenal from cross-city rivals Chelsea, or vice versa, but the two clubs have seemingly strengthened their off-field relationship over the last few years, with Raheem Sterling moving to the Gunners on loan last summer, while Kepa recently joined Arsenal from the Blues.
This move looks to be another example of the two clubs being happy to do business, with Chelsea willing to let Madueke leave should the right fee arrive and prepared to engage in conversations with Arsenal, according to former scout Brown.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 91 | 20 | 9 |
Whether this is a good move for Madueke’s career is uncertain though, as he is surely set to be behind Saka in the pecking order for minutes on the right-wing at the Emirates, and he needs ample game-time in the upcoming season to remain in Thomas Tuchel’s plans for the 2026 World Cup.
It looks as if Gittens’ arrival at Stamford Bridge from Dortmund is set to force him out, however, and he will hope that his time at Arsenal is more fruitful than Sterling’s, who was the last winger to make the move from the Gunners to the Blues and massively struggled last term.