Rio Ferdinand has leapt to the defence of Noni Madueke amid the huge backlash to his potential transfer from Chelsea to Arsenal as some Gunners fans begin a petition against the move

All the latest transfer news as Brentford are set to sign Jordan Henderson, Tottenham close in on Morgan Gibbs-White from Nottingham Forest, plus Noni Madueke to Arsenal latest.

When star players move between fierce rivals, it adds an extra layer of spice to the deals — how do they tend to pan out?

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has backed Noni Madueke to play through the noise surrounding his future, with Arsenal considering making a bid for the England winger.

Noni is in contact with the new club and I guess he is going to be [announced] in the next hours,’ Maresca said. ‘Selling him to a rival? I said in one of the last press conferences that if players want to leave,