Here we go… again.
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Chelsea have a verbal agreement with PSV for the transfer of Noni Madueke, following hot on the heels of the transfer of Mykhailo Mudryk.
Romano adds that Madueke was “strongly wanted by the Chelsea board,” and will sign a long term contract in the next few days. He is a tall, powerful winger who has impressed in the Eredivisie.
Noni Madueke to Chelsea, here we go! Verbal agreement in place with PSV on permanent deal around €35m package. 🚨🔵 #CFC
Madueke will sign long term deal in few days, strongly wanted by Chelsea board.
Contracts being prepared.
Boarding completed – ✈️ London@TurkishAirlines pic.twitter.com/Sdg2JMXJIa
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 19, 2023
Given the amounts we’re spending at the moment, €35m feels cheap.
We have no idea how we will fit all these new players within squad registration rules, let alone keep them happy with minutes. The board must be very confident they can move on Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic, and players who previously may have felt safe like Kai Havertz must feel very much like their time is running out at Chelsea.
We still hope to see a central midfielder and a right back signed this January.
Good news…I guess.
One can only hope these are the precise players the powers that be plan to build around because buying in January from an unwilling seller means we’re paying a premium. If these guys become mainstays of a squad that wins trophies for many years to come then it looks like brilliantly aggressive business, but, if the results don’t follow, it becomes the most expensively naive blunder in football history (especially given that, SuperFrank points out, these most recent acquisitions don’t actually meet our most pressing/immediate needs).