Noni Madueke may be the new Dennis Bergkamp at Arsenal after Enzo Maresca confirms the winger’s departure from Chelsea.

Noni Madueke is expected to sign with Arsenal, and Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has confirmed that he is leaving the team.

The Blues’ London rivals are rumored to have made a successful bid for the 23-year-old, offering to pay more than £50 million to entice him away from Stamford Bridge.

It is unclear if he will play for Chelsea in the Club World Cup since Madueke has already approved a five-year contract with Arsenal through the end of the 2029–30 season.

In Sunday’s thrilling final, the Blues take on European champions Paris Saint-Germain; however, Maresca announced prior to the game that Madueke would not play against Les Parisiens.

The Italian told reporters during his press conference that the England international’s departure was imminent and that the club is “happy” if Madueke is happy.

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

Madueke, who joined Chelsea from Paris Saint-Germain halfway through the 2022–2023 season, will leave the Blues with a record of 20 goals and nine assists from 92 appearances, having already played his final game.

Despite starting only two of the Blues’ games in the USA, the 23-year-old finished the 2024–25 season with 11 goals and five assists from 46 games, including the Club World Cup.

Madueke, who spent four years in Tottenham Hotspur’s academy from 2014 to 2018, is set to join Arsenal as their fourth summer acquisition after Christian Norgaard, Martin Zubimendi, and Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Shirt numbers available to Madueke at Arsenal

When Madueke first arrived at Stamford Bridge, he was given the number 31 jersey. However, he has since worn the ’11’ on his back for the Blues, which is the same number that Gabriel Martinelli has at Arsenal.

However, the 11 that was also worn by Mesut Ozil and Robin van Persie may end up in Madueke’s lap because the Gunners are rumored to have decided that they are willing to sell Martinelli this summer for the right price.

Since Emile Smith Rowe left at the end of the previous season, Arsenal has also been without a number 10—worn by Ozil, Van Persie, and Dennis Bergkamp—and the 14—famously worn by none other than Thierry Henry—is also waiting for a new owner.

As an alternative, the ’20’ that Jorginho last wore is empty, as are the shirts that read 18, 25, 26, 27, and 28, and a few exits might also free up some other numbers in that range.

Reiss Nelson’s 24 and Fabio Vieira’s 21 might soon be available, but Madueke will most likely have his sights set on the legendary 10.