How Juventus missed Noni Madueke signing - Veteran coach

Arsenal is reportedly closing in on a transfer, with Chelsea winger Noni Madueke set to join the Gunners in a deal worth approximately £55 million (an initial £48.5 million rising to £52 million with add-ons).

The impending move brings into focus a past recommendation from coaching veteran Giovanni Galeone, who had urged his protégé, then-Juventus head coach Massimiliano Allegri, to pursue the talented Englishman.

Back in February 2024, Galeone publicly championed Madueke, revealing he had been "talking to Max [Allegri] about [Madueke] for a long time."

However, he confessed his doubts about the feasibility of such a move for Juventus at the time.

Instead of pursuing Madueke, Juventus opted for a different strategy in the summer 2024 transfer window, bringing in Francisco Conceição from Porto and Nico Gonzalez from Fiorentina.

Both players arrived on loan deals, with Conceição's featuring an option to buy and Gonzalez's including an obligation.

However, the Bianconeri's investment in these two wingers has yet to fully pay off.

Nico Gonzalez has already been linked with a departure from the Old Lady this summer, with reports suggesting Juventus would be willing to sell him for around €25-30 million, having effectively paid €33-35 million for his transfer (including loan fees and obligation to buy).

Similarly, Francisco Conceição, for whom Juventus initially paid €7 million in loan fees (plus potential bonuses), could also be heading back to Portugal, as Juventus is still negotiating with Porto for a permanent deal, reportedly facing a €25-45 million asking price.

Madueke, who is currently with Chelsea at the FIFA Club World Cup and is expected to feature in the final against Paris Saint-Germain, is anticipated to complete his move to North London next week, marking a new chapter in his career and closing a curious circle in the transfer market.