Arsenal Eye Chelsea’s Star as Surprise Nico Williams Alternative

Arsenal targets Noni Madueke in a bold move to bolster their wing options as alternatives to Nico Williams slip away.

Arsenal targets Noni Madueke in what could be one of the summer’s most unexpected transfer moves, as Mikel Arteta shifts focus from long-standing target Nico Williams to Chelsea’s dynamic winger. With Barcelona closing in on Williams, Arsenal are exploring other wide options and Madueke’s name has now surfaced as a potential solution to deepen their attacking arsenal.

With Mikel Arteta keen to bolster his attacking options, particularly to ease the burden on Bukayo Saka, the Gunners have been exploring a range of wide players. Their initial pursuit of Athletic Club’s Nico Williams hit a roadblock due to the player’s preference for a move to Camp Nou and his steep wage demands. As a result, Arsenal have turned their attention to other targets, including Real Madrid’s Rodrygo and Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon but now, Madueke has emerged as a surprise candidate according to The Telegraph.

Buy Arsenal's 2025–26 Home Kit through the ArsenalTalks Shop

Click this link to buy the new 2025–26 Arsenal home kit through our ArsenalTalks Shop.

Madueke, 23, had a mixed season at Stamford Bridge, scoring 11 goals and providing five assists. Despite flashes of brilliance, his relationship with Chelsea’s management was reportedly strained, with concerns raised about his training performances and consistency. Still, his ability to operate on both flanks and his attacking flair make him an intriguing option for Arsenal.

While no formal approach has been made to Chelsea, the Gunners are believed to be conducting background checks on the England international. Given the history of transfers between the two London rivals—such as Jorginho and Kai Havertz—this move, while unexpected, isn’t entirely out of character.

Whether Arsenal will push forward with a bid remains to be seen, but Madueke’s name now joins a growing list of potential reinforcements as Arteta looks to fine-tune his squad for a title challenge next season.