Arsenal reach Noni Madueke agreement with transfer now one step away

Arsenal have opened talks over a deal to bring England winger Noni Madueke in from Chelsea with personal terms on a five-year contract already agreed.

And as first reported by The Athletic, Madueke, 23, is keen on a switch to the Gunners but remains with Chelsea at the FIFA Club World Cup.

Chelsea’s initial asking price for Madueke is £50m but it is unclear whether there is scope for a smaller fee to be agreed. He moved to Stamford Bridge from PSV Eindhoven in January 2023 but was dropped by Enzo Maresca last season in what was described by the head coach as “a technical decision.”

Mikel Arteta has already welcomed Kepa Arrizabalaga in from Chelsea this season and Martin Zubimendi has also linked up withhis playing squad while they remain in advanced talks with Sporting Lisbon for the centre forward Viktor Gyokeres. Brentford captain Christian Norgaard is also set to join, while there remains talk of an audacious swoop for Real Madrid star Rodrygo.

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Gyokeres’ move to Arsenal is on the brink of collapsing according to reports in Portugal because the Gunners and Sporting Lisbon are struggling to agree a fee for the prolific striker.

An Arsenal delegation include transfer chief Andrea Berta have spent the past 48 hours negotiating with their Sporting counterparts after personal terms before the Premier League giants and Gyokeres’ representatives were already agreed.

But Record report that a €5m (£4.3m) gap remains between the clubs. Arsenal are offering a package of €65m (£56m) plus future payments of €5m and €10m (£8.6m) in add-ons. However Sporting are demanding €70m (£60m) up front and are unwilling to budge.

The outlet adds that Arsenal's negotiators are now heading back to England and the next few hours may be decisive - bringing either a breakthrough or seeing the entire deal collapse.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have confirmed the appointment of Gabriel Heinze as their new first team coach with the former Manchester United full back set to boost Mikel Arteta ’s brains trust.

The ex-Argentina international has already linked up with the Gunners as they begin their pre-season preparations ahead of a renewed attempt to the end their two-decade wait for the Premier League title.

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