Arsenal hold 'talks' with London rivals to replace player who has dropped major transfer hint

Arsenal are said to have had talks with one of their London rivals over a big-money signing as they continue their bid to strengthen this summer. The Gunners are off to a strong start in the summer transfer window, only snapping up Kepa Arrizabalaga but with deals for Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard all-but done.

Arsenal are also hoping to land Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia, but the recruitment will not end there. The Gunners need a striker and a winger, and there is progress on the latter, according to one report.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal have held ‘talks’ over the possible signing for Chelsea winger Noni Madueke. The winger was key for Chelsea last season, but it looks as though Enzo Maresca has decided to sign Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and another winger, adding depth and likely replacing Madueke, with Pedro Neto the first-choice wideman.

Romano has posted on X: “Understand Arsenal had new round of talks for Noni Madueke as the player could be open to the move. Nothing advanced yet in terms of club to club approach or direct negotiations but #AFC maintain contacts. Separate from Eberechi Eze deal.“

Reports have suggested that Chelsea will ask for £50million to sell Madueke this summer, making a profit of around £20million, but it’s unclear whether that price will rise in the case of selling to a direct rival. If Arsenal are planning on signing a winger, Eberechi Eze and a striker, they will likely have to plan for exits, and there is a hint that Leandro Trossard is seeing the writing on the wall as far as his future is concerned.

Romano added: “Arsenal winger Leandro Trossard has signed with new representatives, as DH Sports & Entertainment Agency will be now in charge of his future.”

What has been said of Trossard and Madueke

Trossard struggled to replace the injured Martin Odegaard in the early stages of last season, and there are alco concerns over whether he is good enough to truly challenge for a spot out wide.

But Arteta is a big fan of the Belgian, saying in March: “Trossard, great player. He's a little magician. He can score on any surface and he's a big threat; so composed, so cool, he can play in different positions. It's just a joy to have him in the team."I think the timing of the first goal was really helpful as well. [I am ] really happy."

As for Madueke, Maresca has described him as one of his ‘best’ players. He said: “I consider Noni one of our best players to be honest. But because of that we want our best players to behave in the right way always. Not to switch off, not [to have] some days where they can drop. No.

“[We know] that during a season it’s normal that for some players they are not 100 per cent. But it’s not just about Noni, it’s about all the players.”