Chelsea will use Anthony Elanga’s £55m move to Newcastle as a guide for Madueke’s valuation | OneFootball

Chelsea have entered talks with London rivals over winger Noni Madueke, according to David Ornstein.

The Gunners are preparing to submit a formal bid for the England international winger, and the Blues are expected to use Anthony Elanga’s £55 million move to Newcastle United as a marker to determine Madueke’s worth.

It’s worth noting that Elanga’s fee included a sell-on clause that Manchester United were owed, but that wouldn’t factor into Chelsea’s valuation.

Both players are 23-year-olds with Premier League and international pedigree, so Chelsea believes Madueke falls under the same bracket as Elanga.

The Blues are not pushing to sell Madueke, but will not stand in his way if an acceptable proposal arrives either. At the moment, Arsenal are at the forefront of the race to sign the winger.

The Gunners have already made background checks on Madueke and are understood to have agreed personal terms with the player on a five-year contract.

Communication between both clubs started through intermediaries, but Ornstein reports that Arsenal have now taken a direct approach.

Madueke was a key part of Enzo Maresca’s first team set-up last season, making 41 appearances across all competitions. He returned 11 goals and five assists.

However, competition for places has increased significantly since the Club World Cup started. He has featured five times in the competition but has only started two games.

With Jamie Gittens, Estevao Willian, and Joao Pedro coming in, as well as Pedro Neto hitting top form at the right time, Madueke could struggle to get a look-in next season.

Neto has scored three times in the Club World Cup, spearheading Chelsea’s phenomenal run to the final.

Maresca has reiterated his desire to keep Madueke at the club, but the winger is keen on the move, although he hasn’t formally pushed for an exit.

Pedro has also enjoyed a fine start to his Chelsea career, scoring a brace in the Club World Cup semi-final against his boyhood club Fluminense to send the Blues to the showpiece.

Madueke has a fight on his hands to get back into the starting line-up. But if he’s going to leave, Arsenal will have to pay at least £55m to finalise a deal.