Arsenal given asking price for Chelsea forward Noni Madueke, as deal for Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres moves closer – Paper Round

Arsenal will have to pay more than £50m for Madueke

Arsenal will have to pay more than £50 million to land Chelsea’s Noni Madueke, according to The Telegraph.

The Gunners have been linked with Madueke and are said to be in negotiations with The Blues for the winger – and Arsenal teenager Ethan Nwaneri could head in the opposite direction.

“Chelsea are expecting to field offers of more than £50 million for winger Noni Madueke, who is of strong interest to Arsenal this summer,” reads the article.

“Telegraph Sport first revealed Arsenal’s interest in Madueke last month and the north London club are now advancing in talks for the 23-year-old.

“It is also understood that, during talks between those clubs, Chelsea expressed a tentative interest in Arsenal teenager Ethan Nwaneri.

“The 18-year-old has one year remaining on his contract and is locked in discussions with Arsenal over a new deal. There is also interest from Germany in Nwaneri, who scored nine goals in 37 appearances in his remarkable breakthrough season last year.

“Arsenal want to keep Nwaneri and there have been some progressions in talks in recent weeks. An agreement has not yet been reached, though.

“Chelsea paid £30 million for Madueke in January 2023, when he joined from PSV Eindhoven, and are expecting to make a significant profit on the England international.”

Madueke strikes for Blues… just moments after Nkunku has penalty saved

Video credit: TNT Sports

Gunners agree personal terms with Gyokeres

Arsenal have agreed personal terms with Viktor Gyokeres as they close in on a deal for the Sporting CP star.

The Guardian claims negotiations are continuing over a fee for the 27-year-old, with Arsenal hoping to strike a deal for less than the £68m asking price.

The report reads: “Gyokeres has made no secret of his desire for a new challenge, having scored 54 goals for Sporting last season, and is understood to have made clear he wants to join Arsenal despite interest from elsewhere in the Premier League, including Manchester United.

“Arsenal had identified Gyokeres as one of their two main targets to add firepower, with strong interest also in RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko. With Mikel Arteta keen to bring in reinforcements as soon as possible, Arsenal’s sporting director, Andrea Berta, is understood to have stepped up efforts to sign Gyokeres after the arrival of the midfielder Martin Zubimendi was confirmed on Sunday.

“Gyokeres, who joined Sporting from Coventry in 2023, is believed to have agreed a five-year deal at the Emirates. It is understood that his former club Brighton would be due money under a sell-on clause.”

Gyokeres scores as Sporting win on final day to seal league title

Video credit: TNT Sports

Vieira blocks Vardy deal

Patrick Vieira has failed to give Genoa signing Jamie Vardy the seal of approval, reports The Sun.

The Serie A side had agreed personal terms with the former England international, but Vieira, now managing Genoa, has blocked the transfer.

The Leicester City legend is available on a free transfer this summer.

“Jamie Vardy had a sensational move to Genoa blocked by Arsenal legend and Invincible Patrick Vieira, it was claimed,” states the outlet.

“Vieira, head coach of the Italian side, was reported to have vetoed the move after club execs put things in place for the former Leicester striker to join in a free transfer.

“According to Italian outlet La Repubblica, Genoa had agreed personal terms with Vardy following negotiations spearheaded by sporting director Flavio Ricciardella.

“But despite claims that Genoa had even enlisted financial help from club sponsors to pay Vardy’s wages, they say the deal was abandoned after Vieira didn’t give his seal of approval.

“The Premier League icon reportedly told club execs he didn’t want Vardy, bringing the deal to an abrupt close.

“A source close to Vieira has denied the claims.”