Nobody told Madueke to leave - Maresca opens up on Chelsea star who's set to join Arsenal

Head coach Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Noni Madueke initiated the move, stating that the club had no intention of forcing him out.

Madueke is on the verge of completing a £50 million transfer to Arsenal. This deal will not only send shockwaves across London but also ease mounting financial pressures on the Blues' books ahead of next season’s Champions League campaign.

With the Stamford Bridge club actively working to stay within UEFA’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) constraints, the outgoing transfer of Madueke could not be more timely.

Sources suggest Chelsea need to raise around £60 million in player sales to ensure their new signings, João Pedro, Liam Delap, and Jamie Gittens can be registered on the all-important "List A" ahead of European competition.

Maresca, speaking at a press conference on Friday that it will be difficult for the club as Madueke leave the club.

“I said in one of the last press conferences that if players want to leave, at the end, it’s difficult for the club and the manager. Noni decided to leave, nobody told Noni he had to leave. If he is happy, we are happy,” Maresca said, as quoted by Football.London.

Despite Madueke’s increasing influence on the pitch, he recorded 11 goals and played over 2,600 minutes across 46 appearances last season; his move to a Premier League rival appears to be rooted in personal dissatisfaction rather than lack of playing time.