Paul Merson admits 'shock' at Arsenal transfer as he poses Bukayo Saka question

Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Chelsea star Noni Madueke in a transfer deal worth up to £52million and it's left ex-Gunners star Paul Merson scratching his head

Paul Merson has been left 'shocked' by Arsenal's decision to sign Noni Madueke - and has questioned the future of Bukayo Saka. The Gunners announced Madueke's arrival from Chelsea on Friday, as the England international put pen to paper on a five-year contract, keeping him at the Emirates until 2030.

Arsenal have agreed to pay their London rivals a guaranteed £48million plus £4m in performance-related add-ons. The 23-year-old becomes Mikel Arteta's fourth signing of the summer after Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard, taking their spending to beyond the £120million mark.

But Merson can't wrap his head around the move, admitting that Madueke would be the last player he'd sign from Chelsea, who 'won't believe their luck'. "I am flabbergasted by Arsenal signing Noni Madueke," the ex-Gunners midfielder wrote in his Sky Sports column.

"I'm shocked. If Arsenal went and bought any player from Chelsea, he'd have been the last one I thought they'd sign. I just don't see it. It's a lot of money for a player who is not a prolific goalscorer. He's the sort of player that has a good game here and a good game there, but that'll be it.

"The consistency of performance isn't there. I hope he proves me wrong, but he'll have the good games, just like he did for England last month. But then you won't see him for a few weeks.

"For me, at Chelsea, I'd have always played Jadon Sancho ahead of him. It's not to be disrespectful to the player but I am flabbergasted by the money Arsenal are paying for him. Chelsea just won't believe that this deal has come to them. They won't believe their luck."

Merson then questioned Saka's future in north London given that Madueke usually plays in the same right-wing role. "Call me a cynic, but is there another reason why they are doing this deal?" the pundit continued.

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"Are there concerns about the future of Saka? Are they getting this deal done and then all of a sudden it allows a potential sale of Saka or someone else.

"The one player at Arsenal who has to play every week is Saka. When he doesn't play, they are not the same team. The players around him are not the same when he doesn't play. If fit, he plays. So why do you spend £52m on a backup for him?"

Arteta has a plan, though, as he said after Arsenal's new No.20 was confirmed: "Noni is an exciting and powerful young player, with his performances and numbers in recent seasons being of consistently high quality. He is one of the most talented wide forward players in the Premier League.

"At just 23, Noni already brings experience of club and international football, and he knows the Premier League very well. Having seen the quality of Noni's performances up close in recent seasons, we’re really excited he is joining us. His arrival will really improve our squad - we're all thrilled to have him here."