Noni Madueke to Arsenal transfer confirmed by Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca

Noni Madueke wanted to quit Chelsea and is now just “hours” away from joining Arsenal. Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca insisted it was Madueke’s decision to quit Stamford Bridge rather than him wanting to sell the 23-year-old England winger.

Arsenal have agreed a £52m deal for Madueke and Chelsea have given him permission to complete the move before Sunday’s Club World Cup final. Maresca was asked why Chelsea decided to sell a young England international to a direct rival.

And Maresca said: “At the end, if players want to leave, it's difficult for the club and the manager. Noni decided to leave. No one said to Noni he has to leave. If he is happy, we are happy.

"Noni is in contact with the new club and I guess he is going to be [announced] in the next hours.”

Madueke is set to sign a five year contract after undergoing a medical. He will become the sixth player Mikel Arteta has signed for Chelsea, after permanent deals for Willian, Jorginho, Kai Havertz and Kepa, and a loan move last summer for Raheem Sterling

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Meanwhile, Maresca says that key midfielder Moises Caicedo is a fitness doubt for Sunday’s final at the MetLife with an ankle injury which has prevented from training fully.

Maresca said: “Yes, for sure Moises is such an important player for us. This morning he couldn't take part in the training session fully but we hope he can take part on Sunday.”

Maresca believes Chelsea are the best team in Europe right now but claimed his squad can cause an upset if the fans get behind them again.

He added: “For sure, PSG are a top team in Europe and the world. Probably, in this moment, the best. We are going to try our best to do a good game.

“The message to fans is we need their support. The team deserves all the trust from them because, during this season they finished top four, won the Conference [League] and played the Club World Cup. It's been a great season…

“In this moment, the mood is fantastic, it's top. The reason why is because they value what they have during this competition and the season. When you start with 32 teams and now at the end, they are proud and happy. We are ready to play this final."

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