This could be bad news for the new Chelsea manager.

Chelsea are reportedly close to completing a sale of one of their key players in a surprise blow to Enzo Maresca.

The Italian took charge of Chelsea in June after leaving Leicester following just a season in charge, and has largely been able to focus on incoming transfers during his time in charge.

The most notable of those saw a deal struck for midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who joins from Maresca’s former club Leicester for a fee of £30 million.

Some of those deals were funded by outgoings, with Chelsea selling left-back Ian Maatsen to Aston Villa for £37.5 million.

The Dutchman, however, played little part in the Blues’ campaign last season and spent the second half of the season on loan at Borussia Dortmund, where he reached the Champions League final.

But now there are reports that Maresca could lose a genuine first team player – and one that has impressed during pre-season.

According to Football Insider, winger Noni Madueke has agreed personal terms with Newcastle and is ‘most likely’ to join the club out of the names on their attacking transfer shortlist.

The 22-year-old was not a first team regular under Mauricio Pochettino last season, but did still score five goals in 23 games.

He has reportedly impressed Maresca in training, and started the opening 45 minutes of Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Wrexham on Wednesday as a right winger.

Getty

It is claimed, though, that Chelsea would consider the Englishman’s sale if they would receive a profit on the £29 million fee they spent to sign Madueke from PSV in January 2023.

Newcastle see the winger as a ‘significant improvement’ on other options they have in the position, and there is doubt over the future of Miguel Almiron.

The Magpies’ only significant transfer dealing this summer so far was with Chelsea, as left-back Lewis Hall joined the club for £28 million after an option in his loan contract from last season was triggered.