Arsenal player transfer news: Arsenal ignores fans opposition to introducing Chelsea midfielder

More than 2,700 Arsenal fans signed a petition against it, but could not stop the club from buying winger Noni Maduk from Chelsea for $68 million.

The transaction was finalized on July 10 (London time). Arsenal agreed to pay $68 million (with surcharge) to bring Marduk from Chelsea. This amount is slightly higher than the initial offer worth $65 million. Previously, "Arsenal" and the British midfielder had reached an agreement on signing a five-year contract and personal terms.

Although Arsenal fans have made efforts to stop it over the past few days, the deal has still happened. Since the team began negotiations with Noni Marduk and Chelsea last week, about 2,700 fans have signed an online petition calling on the club to abandon their plans to bring in the 23-year-old midfielder.

"Arsenal fans deserve better treatment ", read in the petition paragraph on Change.org. "We are very close to success, rather than leveraging the existing roster, it seems we are taking two steps back like the previous three transfer windows. We can certainly do better. Please show our ambitions and repay the fans in the way we have supported the club in the past 20 years. "

"The club needs to bring in world-class players, rather than investing a lot of money for a player who obviously doesn't meet the fans' expectations. This decision should spark serious doubts about the club's direction and ambitions," said one person who commented in the petition.

Another person said: "Is this the reward we get after more than 20 years of support? Ordinary contracts have no ambitions, but opponents are increasing their strength? Arsenal is about to reach the peak of greatness, don't destroy it with ignorant transfers."

Noni Marduk played for Eindhoven and then transferred to Chelsea for $35 million in the summer of 2023. He scored 20 goals in each game and made 92 appearances. Arsenal highly praised Noni Marduk for being competent for both sides and regarded him as Bukayosaka's substitute.

Once the transfer is completed, Marduk will become the seventh Chelsea player to join Arsenal in nearly 7 seasons.

"Arsenal fans don't want the club to clean up Chelsea's 'trash can' and fund their upgrades," another commented.

At the same time, Arsenal fans are excited about the prospect of signing with Victor Gejokeles. The Emirates Stadium owner is believed to have reached a personal agreement with the Swedish striker, but still needs to negotiate with Portugal Sports on transfer fees. On July 10, Arsenal also completed the introduction of Christian Norgard of Brentford for $15 million. The Danish midfielder signed a two-year contract and will wear the No. 16 jersey at the new club. Norgard played for Brentford for the past six years and is considered a hero to help the club upgrade and stabilize in the UK's top league in 2021.

Norgaard and Marduk are Arsenal's third and fourth new players this summer, followed by goalkeeper Kepa Arezavaraga and midfielder Martin Subimedi.