Enzo Maresca has insisted Noni Madueke was not forced out of the club with the Chelsea boss expecting the winger to join Arsenal ‘in the next hours’.
Arsenal and Chelsea agreed a fee of £52million on Thursday night with Madueke now set to sign a five-year contract with the Gunners.
He will become the sixth player to make the move to the Emirates from Stamford Bridge during Mikel Arteta’s reign in charge with the transfer dividing opinion among Arsenal fans.
Madueke was Chelsea’s first choice right winger last season, scoring seven goals and providing three assists in the Premier League.
Chelsea have been eager to move on a number of players this summer but Madueke was not one of them, according to Maresca.
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While he will be joining a direct rival for next season, the Italian says he is ‘happy’ for the player.
‘Noni is in contact with the new club and I guess he is going to be [announced] in the next hours,’ Maresca said.
‘Selling him to a rival? I said in one of the last press conferences that if players want to leave, then it is 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.’
Chelsea are preparing for their Club World Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain with Madueke leaving the camp on Friday.
He is expected to undergo a medical before being officially unveiled as Arsenal’s fourth summer signing following the arrivals of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Christian Norgaard and Martin Zubimendi.
Arteta has been eager to bring in a wide option who can provide cover for Bukayo Saka on the right but also offer a new threat down the left.
With the exception of a run of four Premier League games at the end of last season, Madueke has played almost exclusively on the right.
Arsenal legend Sol Campbell believes the England international does have the qualities to shine in north London. But with confusion over what role he will play in Arteta’s set-up, the former defender called for the club to offer some clarity behind the decision.
‘I’ve seen him play, and he’s a very dynamic, keep-going kind of player that can cause problems when he gets into the final third,’ Campbell told Metro, courtesy of BetSelect.
‘I think most people are probably thinking, “Do we need him?”. He’s a quality player, but I think the club needs to explain why they’re getting certain players in and how it’s going to fit into our system.
‘It’s important to explain that to the players and the fans.’