London, 19 July 2025 (dpa/MIA) - Arsenal have completed the £48 million ($64.45 million) transfer of Chelsea forward Noni Madueke, who becomes Mikel Arteta’s fourth signing of the summer.

The 23-year-old is understood to have signed a five-year deal at the Emirates, taking him through to the summer of 2030.

It is expected that England international Madueke will provide competition to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli in Arsenal’s wide areas.

Madueke’s move across London – which could exceed £52 million with performance-related add-ons – has been met with severe criticism by Arsenal supporters on social media. A petition against the transfer has attracted more than 5,000 signatures.

Addressing the “vulgar” toxicity on X, former Manchester United and England captain Rio Ferdinand wrote: “For a young 23-year-old English footballer to be vilified, bullied, embarrassed and totally stripped down at a time when you’re meant to be celebrating a transfer worth £55 million.

“It’s fine for fans to disagree with signings or decisions made at their football club but the way some fans have publicly voiced their opinions and those who have gone a step further in publicly joining a petition for this player not to be signed by their football club is beyond me.

“I have never seen anything like this before, and I hope I don’t ever again.”

Madueke left Chelsea’s eventual Club World Cup winning campaign in the United States last Friday to undergo his medical at Arsenal and put the finishing touches on his controversial move.

Posting on Instagram, Madueke said: “Dear Chelsea Football Club, I want to thank you for the last three or so years. To every staff member that helped me along this journey, thank you. To my team-mates thank you for everything. I leave with only love and admiration for you guys. We achieved so much this season and I honestly wish you guys nothing but the best.”

Madueke scored 11 times for Chelsea across all competitions last season and was rewarded with his first senior international appearances under England interim manager Lee Carsley, and his permanent successor Thomas Tuchel.

Madueke, who made the switch to Stamford Bridge from PSV Eindhoven in 2023, follows Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga – who also joined from Chelsea – and Christian Norgaard in moving to the Emirates in the off-season.

He takes Arsenal’s spending so far this summer to the region of £120 million with Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera’s £13 million move also expected to be finalized shortly.

Arsenal also remain hopeful of signing striker Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon, although it is not believed that a deal – which could be worth as much as £65 million – is imminent.

Madueke will join up with his new team-mates when they depart for their tour of Singapore and Hong Kong on Saturday evening.

Photo: Arsenal X