Enzo Maresca has insisted Noni Madueke was not forced out of the club with the Chelsea boss expecting the winger to hitch Arsenal ‘in the following hours’.
Arsenal and Chelsea agreed a fee of £52million on Thursday night with Madueke now set to sign a five-year contract with the Gunners.
He’ll grow to be the sixth player to make the move to the Emirates from Stamford Bridge during Mikel Arteta’s reign in charge with the transfer dividing opinion amongst Arsenal fans.
Madueke was Chelsea’s first selection right winger last season, scoring seven goals and providing three assists within the Premier League.
Chelsea have been desirous to move on plenty of players this summer but Madueke was not one among them, based on Maresca.
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While he can be joining a direct rival for next season, the Italian says he’s ‘joyful’ for the player.
‘Noni is in touch with the brand new club and I assume he’s going to be [announced] in the following hours,’ Maresca said.
‘Selling him to a rival? I said in one among the last press conferences that if players want to depart, then it’s difficult for the club and the manager.
‘Noni decided to depart. No one told Noni he had to depart. If he’s joyful, we’re joyful.’
Chelsea are preparing for his or her Club World Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain with Madueke leaving the camp on Friday.
He is anticipated to undergo a medical before being officially unveiled as Arsenal’s fourth summer signing following the arrivals of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Christian Norgaard and Martin Zubimendi.
Arteta has been desirous to usher in a large option who can provide cover for Bukayo Saka on the proper but in addition offer a brand new threat down the left.
Excluding a run of 4 Premier League games at the top of last season, Madueke has played almost exclusively on the proper.
Arsenal legend Sol Campbell believes the England international does have the qualities to shine in north London. But with confusion over what role he’ll play in Arteta’s set-up, the previous defender called for the club to supply some clarity behind the choice.
‘I’ve seen him play, and he’s a really dynamic, keep-going form of player that could cause problems when he gets into the ultimate third,’ Campbell told Metro, courtesy of BetSelect.
‘I believe most individuals are probably considering, “Do we’d like him?”. He’s a high quality player, but I believe the club needs to elucidate why they’re getting certain players in and the way it’s going to suit into our system.
‘It’s necessary to elucidate that to the players and the fans.’
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