Chelsea have opened talks with PSV Eindhoven over a deal to sign winger Noni Madueke as they look to complete their fifth signing of the January transfer window, football.london understands. Armando Broja is set to miss the remainder of the season, whilst Raheem Sterling's and Christian Pulisic's recent injuries will see them sidelined for a number of weeks.
As reported last week by football.london, the Blues are interested in signing Madueke as Graham Potter looks to bolster his options in offensive areas. Chelsea's poor form continued with a 2-1 defeat against Fulham as their latest signing, Joao Felix, was sent off on his debut and is now set to miss the next three games.
The west Londoners' injury troubles continued with Denis Zakaria suffering a thigh problem during the defeat, which resulted in him being replaced by Jorginho in the second half. David Datro Fofana, Andrey Santos and Benoit Badiashile have all sealed permanent moves to Stamford Bridge, but it looks as though Todd Boehly and Christopher Vivell are looking to add more new faces to Potter's squad before Deadline Day.
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Vivell is driving Chelsea's pursuit of Madueke with the English winger having been on RB Leipzig's radar during the newly appointed chief's time with the Bundesliga outfit. Marcus Thuram and Mykhaylo Mudryk are also names being looked at by Chelsea in what has already been a massively busy January transfer window.
Who is Madueke?
Chukwunonso 'Noni' Madueke is now playing for PSV, the club he's been at since 2019 after leaving Tottenham's academy. The 20-year-old was born in Barnet and has represented England at Under-21 level but is yet to win his first senior cap for the Three Lions.
Madueke has gone from strength to strength in Eindhoven and is now one of the Dutch club's strongest attacking players. In August 2021, the Englishman was rewarded with a new long-term contract at PSV – that expires in 2025 – and was handed the No. 10 jersey.
However, this season has been nothing short of a disaster for Madueke. In July of last year, Madueke suffered a serious ankle injury following an incident in training and was ruled out until October 20, where he was given a 25-minute cameo against Arsenal in the Europa League.
Madueke has returned to full fitness since and played his first full 90 minutes of the season in PSV's goalless draw with Sparta Rotterdam at the weekend. He is someone who has constantly been linked with a return to England since moving to the Netherlands in 2019 – and playing in his homeland is something he dreams of doing one day.
"Yeah, definitely," the PSV attacker replied in September 2021 when asked if he wants to play in the Premier League. "The Premier League is the best league in the world and every young English player wants to be there.
"But also I am not someone who is afraid to venture elsewhere. So, whatever is best for my development, whichever country, I am a person who won't be scared to take the leap."
Explaining why he signed a new contract in Eindhoven in 2021, Madueke said: "In terms of signing a new deal, I feel comfortable committing my future to the club at this point and it has been a great start to the season [2021/22]. I am playing happy.
"When you are going well there is always interest. My focus is playing well for my club, it is best to stay this summer. It is the right decision."
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