Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has issued a warning to Noni Madueke amid interest from Arsenal.
The 23-year-old had been an integral part of Maresca’s squad over the last campaign, making 41 appearances across all competitions for the Blues.
He was a second-half substitute in their 2-1 win over Palmeiras in the Club World Cup quarter-final on Friday.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal are close to agreeing personal terms with Madueke ahead of a potential switch to north London.
The player is said to be currently focused on the Club World Cup, but is open to joining the Gunners.
And Maresca has seemingly left the door open for the England international to depart despite heaping praise on him.
‘Noni has been very important for us. But my message to the players and to the club is that I want just players that are happy to be with us,’ Maresca said.
‘The ones that are not happy, they are free to go. Noni has been very good during the season’.
Chelsea have strengthened their attack this summer with the arrivals of Liam Delap, Joao Pedro and Jamie Gittens.
The west London club are also said to be interested in West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus, who currently has an £85million release clause.
Maresca was asked about a potential move for the Ghanaian and responded: ‘Mohammed is a West Ham player, he is not our player so I can’t say nothing. Only thing I can say is I know Kudus since Ajax.’
Meanwhile, Arsenal want to strengthen their forward line this summer, with Mikel Arteta’s side also holding interest in the likes of Benjamin Sesko, Victor Gyokeres and Real Madrid’s Rodrygo.
If Noni Madueke joins Arsenal, he would become the latest Chelsea player to make the switch during Mikel Arteta’s tenure, following David Luiz, Willian, Jorginho, Kai Havertz, and Kepa Arrizabalaga.
