Aston Villa have received 'encouragement' in their efforts to prise Noni Madueke away from Chelsea during the summer transfer window, according to a report.
The Lions are still fighting for success on three fronts this season, enhancing their top-four credentials in the Premier League with a 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest on Saturday evening.
Unai Emery's side also have a Champions League quarter-final with Paris Saint-Germain to look forward to, and they will meet Crystal Palace in the semi-finals of the FA Cup on April 26.
The Lions' success has been built on solid attacking foundations, and Emery is spoiled for choice up front right now, as Donyell Malen, Marco Asensio, Marcus Rashford, Ollie Watkins, Jacob Ramsey, Leon Bailey and Morgan Rogers are all fighting for minutes.
However, the highly-rated Rogers has been linked with a move to Manchester City, while there is no guarantee that Paris Saint-Germain-owned Asensio and Manchester United loanee Rashford will be signed permanently.
Chelsea 'concerns' revealed over Madueke 'attitude'
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An alternative option has apparently emerged in the shape of 23-year-old Madueke, as Football Insider claims that Villa have been encouraged to pursue the England international in recent days.
Madueke has been an important member of Enzo Maresca's squad this season, contributing eight goals and four assists from 29 appearances, but the report claims that 'concerns' have been raised about his attitude to training.
Furthermore, there is also uncertainty at Stamford Bridge over whether Madueke has a place in Maresca's long-term project, and the player himself is 'frustrated' at not becoming a weekly starter in the Premier League.
As a result, Madueke will reportedly be open to leaving this summer in order to join a club where he will be promised regular minutes, as he aspires to become a first-choice player for England boss Thomas Tuchel.
Despite the alleged concerns over his attitude, the 23-year-old is still said to have plenty of admirers across Europe as well as Villa, who might have to pay a hefty fee to prise him away from Stamford Bridge.
Madueke remains contracted to the Blues until 2030 with the option of a further 12 months, and the former Tottenham Hotspur youngster has contributed 17 goals and seven assists from 75 games since his £29.8m arrival in January 2023.
Madueke could be part of Chelsea attacking exodus
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In the first portion of the 2024-25 campaign, Madueke, Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer were thriving in the final third for Chelsea, but the Blues' attacking powers have started to wane in recent weeks.
Maresca's side have scored more than once in just one of their last six Premier League games - and that was against 20th-placed Southampton - and Madueke could be one of a handful of attackers to depart.
The Blues can supposedly choose to pay Manchester United a penalty fee to avoid signing Jadon Sancho permanently, and the ex-Borussia Dortmund man is now said to be on the radar of a surprise Premier League team.
Joao Felix, Raheem Sterling, Armando Broja and David Datro Fofana are expected to be on the chopping block as well, while Mykhaylo Mudryk remains provisionally suspended as a result of a positive doping test.
Ben Knapton
