Arsenal has confirmed the signing of Chelsea star Noni Madueke in a transfer deal with a value of a maximum of £ 52 million and it has been left behind ex-gunners star Paul Merson who scratches his head
Paul Merson was 'shocked' by the decision of Arsenal to sign Noni Madueke – and has questioned the future of Bukayo Saka. The Gunners announced on Friday at the arrival of Madueke from Chelsea, while the International of England put the pen on paper with a five -year contract, so that he held with the Emirates until 2030.
Arsenal has agreed to pay their London rivals a guaranteed £ 48 million plus £ 4 million in performance-related add-ons. The 23-year-old will be the fourth signing of Mikel Arteta of the summer after Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard, who take their expenses to further than the £ 120 million.
But Merson cannot wrap his head around the movement and admit that Madueke would be the last player he would sign of Chelsea, who 'would not believe their happiness'. “I was astonished by Arsenal that Noni Madueke signed,” wrote the former Gunners midfielder in his Sky Sports column.
“I was shocked. If Arsenal were going to buy a Chelsea player, he would have been the last one I thought they would sign. I just don't see it. It is a lot of money for a player who is not a productive goal scorer. He is the kind of player who has a good game here and a good game there, but it will be.
“The consistency of the performance is not there. I hope he proves that I will be wrong, but he will have the good games, just as he did for England last month. But then you don't see him for a few weeks.
“For me, in Chelsea, I would have always played Jadon Sancho for him. It is not disrespectful for the player, but I am stunned by the money that Arsenal pays for him. Chelsea simply will not believe that this deal has come for them. They will not believe their happiness.”
Merson then asked the future of Saka in North London, since Madueke usually plays in the same right-wing role. “Call me a cynic, but is there another reason why they do this deal?” The expert went on.
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“Are there worries about the future of Saka? Do they get this deal done and then it suddenly makes a possible sale of Saka or someone else possible.
“The only player at Arsenal who has to play every week is Saka. If he doesn't play, they are not the same team. The players around him are not the same as he does not play. If he fits, he plays. So why do you spend £ 52 million on a backup for him?”
However, Arteta has a plan, as he said that after the new No. 20 of Arsenal was confirmed: “Noni is an exciting and powerful young player, with his versions and figures in the past seasons of consistent high quality. He is one of the most talented broad players in the Premier League.
“On just 23, Noni already brings experience with club and international football, and he knows the Premier League very well. After he has seen the quality of Noni's performance in the past seasons, we are very enthusiastic that he comes to us. His arrival will really improve – we are all happy to have him here.”