Enzo Maresca has revealed who was behind the decision to allow Noni Madueke to leave Chelsea for Arsenal.
The two London clubs have entered into an agreement for the transfer of the 23-year-old English star, with a £ 52 million deal that is almost completed for the broad man.
Personal conditions about a deal of five years have already been agreed, as reported in the Chelsea confidential Chelsea on this week's postport.
It is a transfer that has erected a few eyebrows in view of the obvious potential of the player, while one of the stars of Arsenal already occupies the best position of Madueke on the right ring in Bukayo Saka.
Nevertheless, Madueke left the Blues Camp in the Club World Cup to complete the move, with a formal announcement expected in the near future.
Now Blues -Baas Maresca has revealed who the call for the player to continue – and it was Madueke himself.
“Noni is in contact with a new club,” said Maresca. “I think he will leave in the coming hours.
“I said in one of the last press conferences that at the end, if players want to leave at the end, it is difficult for the club and for the manager.
'Noni decided to leave, nobody told Noni that he had to leave. If he is happy, we are happy. '
Maresca had previously admitted that he was fine that Madueke left if he didn't want to be in the club, almost pushed him out.
The Italian said last weekend: 'Noni has been very important to us. But my message to the players and the club is that I only want players who would like to be with us, “said Maresca.
'Those who are not happy, they are free to go. Noni has been very good during the season '.
Madueke was established last season for Chelsea, including playing the entire final of the conference, which they won against Real Betis.
He was also used at this club World Cup, although he was a replacement instead of a starter in their semi-final victory over Fluminense in the midst of clear concerns by Maresca that his focus was not entirely on his current side.
Mail Sport reported on Tuesday that a winger this summer is the target of Arsenal, with Madueke High on their list.
The Gunners wanted to strengthen their attacking options this transfer window, with a step to close Victor Gyokeres – although the risk is said to collapse due to silence in negotiations.
They were also looking for a winger – it is clear that their preference was a left -sided broad man, but someone who can play on both sides, such as Madueke, was also an option.
The Gunners then approached the player and there were no obstacles in terms of personal conditions and the negotiations with Chelsea also went smoothly.
While Madueke is set for the exit, Chelsea has an 18-year-old wonder kid in Estevao Willian who is coming from Palmeiras this summer. He played on the right wing against his future employers and scored a spectacular goal in a sign of his potential.
Madueke is left -feet and prefer to play on the right – a position that Saka occupies in Arsenal. But he is also able to play links and recently presented the blues there.
Maresca left Madueke from two games in 2024-25 for internal reasons, one of which came when he had performed badly in the training.
He will probably compete with people like Gabriel Martinelli for a starting point in the Arsenal team next season.