According to sources, Arsenal has made an offer to sign Chelsea winger Noni Madueke this summer, although they are still interested in Real Madrid star Rodrygo.
In an attempt to strengthen Mikel Arteta's midfield, the Gunners have already arranged £55 million and £9 million agreements for Christian Norgaard of Brentford and Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad.
Arsenal has struck a "full agreement" on personal terms with Valencia center-back Cristhian Mosquera, while they are giving goalkeeper David Raya some competition with the £5 million signing of Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea.
Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano provided an explanation of the Mosquera scenario, on his YouTube channel stating: "Cristhian Mosquera's initial offer from Arsenal for €14 million was turned down. Arsenal will go back to the negotiating table with the goal of completing a deal for this Spanish defender for between €20 million and €25 million.
"Assume that it will cost more than €20 million to acquire Mosquera, who has a contract that expires in a year at Valencia, is not extending it, and has accepted the terms offered by Arsenal.
The offer from Arsenal is on the table, the contract is on the table, and Mosquera has already accepted the offer from Arsenal, Mikel Arteta, Andrea Berta, and everyone else at the club because he wants to play in the Premier League and he wants to join Arsenal."
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"They are currently talking and negotiating club to club; there isn't an agreement on €14 million or €15 million, but Arsenal will return to the table." "I think Arsenal will win this one handily again."
Sporting directors Andrea Berta and Arteta have made finding a new center-forward a high priority. Arsenal have their eyes on two main strikers, Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig and Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting.
But that’s not the only area Mikel Arteta’s looking to sharpen. He’s also pushing for a new wide player, and word going around is that Rodrygo from Real Madrid is right at the top of the list.
However, because the Brazilian transaction is still problematic, Arsenal is looking elsewhere. Florian Plettenberg, a reporter for Sky Germany, has now stated that the Gunners have made a bid for Chelsea winger Madueke. "Understand Arsenal has already submitted an offer to Noni #Madueke," Plettenberg posted on X.
The 23-year-old winger may depart Chelsea during the summer. Discussions have begun. #CFC Arsenal is evaluating a number of high-profile candidates for this role, including Madueke. Should Rodrygo decide to leave Real Madrid, Arsenal is still thinking about making a move for him.
Insiders now say the Madueke offer is genuine and sits somewhere around £45 million, though Chelsea have reportedly placed a £50 million tag on him.
That pricing makes sense he started 32 Premier League games last season, helped Chelsea into Europe, and was part of their Conference League win, but depth has pushed him down the pecking order. Manager Enzo Maresca, however, insists Madueke is still central to his plans, while the club hints they might shift him on only for the right deal.
So Arsenal's bid is thoughtful, not scattergun deeply clinical, yet not frantic. They’re waiting to see how the striker situation with Sesko or Gyökeres develops before fully committing.
Speaking of widemen, the Rodrygo story remains alive. Arsenal are believed to have opened dialogue with Real Madrid over a potential €80–85 million (≈£70m) deal, based on insiders’ talk of a “half-price” scenario compared to Real’s €100m list price.
Xabi Alonso has referred to him as a “special player,” which hints at Madrid’s wish to keep him. But they also need to free space for Alonso’s midfield targets so Arsenal’s proposal may test their patience.
That balancing act is key. Arsenal seem ready to play it smart: push for Rodrygo if Madrid allows; if not, lock onto Madueke whose pace, dribbling and directness already fit Arteta’s style.
As Charles Watts pointed out, Madueke has something different to offer he’s not just another winger, he brings real ball-carrying traits. Yes, some critics say his form can dip, and the Chelsea-to-Arsenal link carries baggage, but these are the exact kind of risk/reward players Arteta often backs.
Beyond the wingers, Arsenal’s summer push is carefully unfolding. They’ve already wrapped up Norgaard, Zubimendi, Mosquera, Kepa and now the Madueke and Rodrygo chapters are being written in real time. Their striker hunt remains active: Groves says no panic yet on Gyökeres or Sesko.
Add Eberechi Eze to the conversation, and suddenly it feels like Arsenal are putting together something quietly dangerous deeper squad, quicker transitions, more ways to hurt you. And they’re doing it without making too much noise.
So, where do things stand right now? Well, the Madueke situation is very real. Arsenal have already made a solid offer, but Chelsea aren’t moving. They’re sticking to their asking price and making it clear they won’t back down.
Arsenal aren’t in a hurry, they’re keeping a close eye, waiting to see how everything unfolds before making their next move, they’re ready.
Rodrygo? That one’s a bit more complicated. Arsenal are definitely keen, and the player’s open to a fresh challenge. But Real Madrid won’t part ways without a fight and the kind of fee they’d want isn’t small change. If a deal can be struck, it’ll be late in the window and only if the stars align.
And if both those wide options fall through? No panic at the Emirates. Arsenal have alternatives lined up and aren’t afraid to pivot. This isn’t the club from a few years ago that scrambled in late August. This version of Arsenal is deliberate. Arteta and Edu know what they want, and they’re not about to blow money for the sake of headlines.
The bigger picture here is that Arsenal aren’t just chasing names they’re building a squad. One that’s deeper, smarter, and more versatile. And with pre-season just around the corner, the pieces are coming together. Slowly, maybe. But with purpose.
Arteta’s not just after flair. He wants character. He wants competition in every role. And as it stands, he’s getting exactly that.
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