4 days ago
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Chelsea are reportedly sizing up a shock swoop for Arsenal's breakout wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri.
The Blues have been impressed by Nwaneri's remarkable season which saw him score nine goals and grace the Champions League.
Arsenal are yet to agree a new contract with Nwaneri, 18, whose deal expires next summer, though Mail Sport has reported how they want to tie him down for five years.
But Chelsea are monitoring the situation and could make a move if Arsenal do not anchor their teenager, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Evidently, if the Gunners lock down their man for an extra half a decade, any approach suddenly becomes burdened with an exorbitant cost.
The news comes after The Athletic's report that Arsenal have agreed personal terms with Chelsea's Noni Madueke.
Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing Arsenal's breakout wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri
The youngster became an important player for Arsenal last campaign, playing in 37 games
Madueke has apparently given the green light over the move but there is one hurdle - the clubs haven't actually started talking.
The 23-year-old was an integral part of Enzo Maresca's squad over the last campaign, making 45 appearances across all competitions for the Blues, including four so far at the Club World Cup.
He was a second-half substitute in their 2-1 win over Palmeiras in the quarter-final on Friday.
Chelsea and Arsenal are said to have good relations, with the two clubs having already done business this summer after Kepa Arrizabalaga's £5million move to north London this week.
Mikel Arteta's side are keen to strengthen their attack this summer and Madueke can operate on both flanks.
Losing Nwaneri would, of course, be a blow, but his predominant position is on the right flank and Bukayo Saka is set to start there for the foreseeable future.
In September 2022 he became the youngest-ever Premier League player when Arsenal brought him off the bench against Brentford aged 15 years and 181 days.
Meanwhile, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca seemingly left the door open for Madueke to depart after being questioned on the player's future after their win over Palmeiras.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are said to have agreed personal terms with Chelsea's Noni Madueke
He said: '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.
'The ones that are not happy, they are free to go. Noni has been very good during the season'.
If 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 Arrizabalaga.
Arsenal's attempts to sign long-term target Nico Williams from Athletic Club were thwarted after he signed a new long-term deal with the LaLiga side.
The Gunners hold interest in Real Madrid's Rodygo and Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze, with the club having already agreed deals to sign Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard.
There are also plans for a striker to be signed before they fly out to Singapore on July 19 for their pre-season tour of Asia.
Red Bull Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko, Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting CP are at the top of the list - with Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins further down the pecking order.
