Arsenal look to have received a huge boost over Noni Madueke after Enzo Maresca revealed any unhappy Chelsea players are free to leave.
According to reports, the Gunners want to sign the England winger from their London rivals this summer and were rumoured to have opened talks earlier in the week.
Whilst Madueke played an important role for the Blues last season, competition in attack has increased following the arrival of Joao Pedro, not to mention the imminent signing of Jamie Gittens, plus rumoured interest in Mohammed Kudus.
Madueke was a substitute in Chelsea’s Club World Cup quarter-final win over Palmeiras, and afterwards Maresca revealed his stance on a possible exit for the 23-year-old.
He said: “Noni has been very important for us during this season. Today, again, he has been important.
“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. It’s not for Noni, it’s for all the players we have.
“But again, Noni has been very good during the season and very good tonight.”
According to The Guardian, Madueke is open to following former Chelsea team-mate Kepa Arrizabalaga to the Emirates Stadium in this transfer window.
Arsenal could get a deal done for around £40m, though it is said Chelsea want £50m ideally with interest from other Premier League clubs.
With that said, Madueke is not the only winger on the Gunners’ shortlist as the club are also interested in Rodrygo, Eberechi Eze and Anthony Gordon as Mikel Arteta looks to end the club’s five-year trophy drought next season.