Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has branded some Arsenal fans a disgrace for the abuse they have given potential new signing Noni Madueke.The Chelsea and England winger is set to join in a £52million transfer as he gets ready to pen a five-year deal in north London.AFPMadueke has continued to play for Chelsea despite speculation around his future at the club[/caption]The 23-year-old left the Blues’ Club World Cup squad to finalise the deal last week.However, the Gunners manager Mikel Arteta’s move to sign him has attracted negativity from some of those in their fan base.A petition with the title #NOTOMADUEKE has been signed almost 5,000 times, while graffiti appeared close to the Emirates including Arteta Out.And the response has left Ferdinand furious, leading to him posting on social media about the vilification of the player.He said: “For a Young 23 year old English footballer to be vilified, bullied, embarrassed and totally strip down at a time when you’re meant to be celebrating a transfer worth £55 million.“Yes a young kid with a dream about to secure a £55million dream move to a club of his desire leaving a rival at that to be treated in this manner via section of the Arsenal fan base is an utter disgrace.“Just put yourself in his shoes for one minute, just put yourself in his parents’ shoes for one minute and just think of how that feeling must be.“I’ll say it again, at a time as a player, as a human, as a family, you should be celebrating.“I just hope the people that are closest to him are around him and supporting him in the way that he needs right now.“It’s fine for fans to disagree with signings or decisions made at their football club but the way some fans have publicly voiced their opinions and those who have gone a step further in publicly joining a petition for this player not to be signed by their football club is beyond me.Madueke could join Arsenal, despite fan abuse that has infuriated FerdinandGettyEven Arsenal boss Arteta has been given abuse over the transferX - @ChiomaAFC“I have never seen anything like this before, and I hope I don’t ever again.“Like I said earlier, just imagine if this was your best friend, one of your family members, your brother, son… then tell me how would you feel if they were on the receiving end of this vulgar behaviour???“By the way, this isn’t aimed at all Arsenal fans, it’s just a small section who have become very loud unfortunately.“I just hope the transfer goes through and Noni Madueke rams all of this negativity back down the throats of these impostors.“Whatever happens from here, good luck Noni.”Madueke joined the Blues from PSV Eindhoven in 2023 for £28.5million and has become an England international during his time at Stamford Bridge.Ferdinand blasted abusive Arsenal fans on InstagramX - @RioFerdy5But during Chelsea’s Club World Cup campaign, where they now face Paris Saint-Germain in the final, it became clear the two parties would decouple.After their 2-1 quarter-final win over Palmeiras, Blues manager Enzo Maresca voiced his opinion on the player.The Italian explained: “Noni has been very important for us during this season. Today, again, he has been important.“But my message to the players and to the club is that I want just players who are happy to be with us.“The ones that are not happy, they are free to go, it’s for all the players we have.“But again, Noni has been very good during the season and very good tonight.”Watch all of the FIFA Club World Cup free on DAZN. Sign up now so you don’t miss any of the action.*Clicking on a DAZN link in this article may earn talkSPORT affiliate revenue