Atletico Madrid and Juventus eye Madueke as Arteta's Arsenal snub opens door to January exit

Noni Madueke has emerged as a target for Atletico Madrid and Juventus after the 24-year-old winger has yet to make a single Premier League start for Arsenal in the current campaign. The two European clubs are understood to be monitoring his situation and could pursue a deal when the January transfer window opens, looking to capitalise on his reduced role under Mikel Arteta.

Madueke managed 16 Premier League starts in 2025/26, but this season has seen him fall sharply down the pecking order at the Emirates. He and striker Viktor Gyokeres are among the first-team arrivals yet to feature in the starting XI in the league, with Arteta’s selections suggesting neither is currently viewed as a regular starter.

The England international has been putting in extra work at Arsenal’s Colney training ground after being omitted from Thomas Tuchel’s national squad for the Nations League. His next opportunity to impress comes when Arsenal host Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

An injury to Christos Tzolis — who picked up a hamstring problem while on international duty with Greece — could force Arteta’s hand. With options on the left flank limited behind the Greek winger, Madueke may be called upon, and that prospect complicates any potential January departure.

Whether Arsenal would sanction his sale remains unclear, but the situation carries a significant subplot. The north London club were strongly linked with Atletico’s Julian Alvarez throughout the summer transfer window, ultimately failing to secure a deal. The Argentine forward publicly expressed a desire for a new challenge, including a reported preference for Barcelona, and has since faced jeers from Atletico supporters during La Liga fixtures.

Should that hostile reception continue, Atletico may be willing to move Alvarez on in January — and Arsenal could look to include Madueke in a swap arrangement as a means of finally landing their long-pursued target. The Gunners currently sit three points behind Premier League leaders Manchester City, adding further urgency to any midseason reinforcement.