Arsenal are among the clubs interested in a move for Chelsea winger Noni Madueke during the summer transfer window.
The Gunners are desperate to bring in a striker to lead Mikel Arteta’s attack with Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres their leading targets.
But the Gunners boss is eager to sign another wide option, one who can ease the strain on Bukayo Saka out on the right.
Real Madrid star Rodrygo and Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon are two options under consideration having missed out on Nico Williams, who has agreed to join Barcelona.
The Daily Telegraph report Madueke is also on Arsenal’s radar, one of a number of players they have made checks on.
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Arsenal have not approached Chelsea over a deal at this stage but the England international would fit the bill at the Emirates, adept playing on both flanks having added goals to his game last season.
Despite the rivalry, Arsenal and Chelsea have also done plenty of business over the years with Jorginho and Kai Havertz swapping west London for north. Raheem Sterling joined Arsenal on loan from the Blues last season with goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga set to make the same switch this summer.
Madueke hit the back of the net 11 times for the Blues last season, laying on five assists.
But the 23-year-old found himself questioned and challenged by his manager on more than one occasion, warned over his performances in training in August before being dropped from the squad for a game against Aston Villa for similar reasons in December.
While Maresca told reporters on Thursday he sees Madueke being part of his squad heading into the new season, former Blues midfielder John Obi Mikel believes the club could seek to make an upgrade.
‘I like him,’ Mikel told Metro. ‘There is a lot of room for improvement however, I think him as a player, he can definitely do more. He can do more defensively and in terms of scoring goals.
‘There is a lot more expected from Noni. His relationship with the manager, all throughout the season there was a little bit of tension.
‘But I liked that, he gave him that little kick up the backside. You have to get better. Your end product has to be better.
‘Enzo knows Noni can do better, he knows there’s a lot more there. I think Noni has taken it on board sometimes but he can do better. If he is the player that is going to have to be let go to bring in another top winger, it’s not a bad idea but for me, I would keep him and bring in someone else.
‘Because the talent is there. But he needs to perform week in week out. The manager knows better than anyone else, he must have seen something in him we haven’t seen.
‘Maybe how he trains, how he applies himself, I don’t know, if that is going to happen, maybe there is a reason Maresca wants to get rid of him. But as a Chelsea fan, I keep him.’