Myles Lewis-Skelly's future at Arsenal is one of the defining storylines of this transfer window, even before the new season has kicked off.
The 19-year-old made his name in his breakthrough 2024-25 campaign, establishing himself as one of the Premier League's brightest young full-backs. That season earned him an England call-up and he became the youngest player to score on his Three Lions debut — a remarkable achievement for an academy product. A five-year contract followed that summer as a reward for his rapid rise.
Last season, however, proved far more testing. Lewis-Skelly dropped to third-choice left-back behind Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie, and Arsenal reportedly considered selling him, with club sources suggesting in April that they would seek a minimum combined £100 million for Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri.
A resurgence and a rethink
A strong end to the campaign — operating in his preferred central midfield role — appeared to shift Arsenal's thinking. Lewis-Skelly has been one of the standout performers in pre-season and has started the last two friendlies as the Gunners prepare to face Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday.
With several midfielders returning late from the World Cup and new £75 million signing Bruno Guimaraes still settling in, Lewis-Skelly could yet force his way into Mikel Arteta's first-team plans on a regular basis.
Manchester United and Chelsea interest
Reports emerged this week linking Lewis-Skelly with moves to two Premier League rivals. One source told BBC Sport that he was offered to Manchester United in January, though Arsenal insist they have not actively put him on the market.
Manchester United do have a genuine need at left-back. Their most recent signing in that position, Patrick Dorgu, has been used in an advanced attacking role throughout pre-season. Luke Shaw started every Premier League match last season, but his fitness record remains inconsistent, and a move for Newcastle United's Lewis Hall is considered difficult following the departures of Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes.
Chelsea have also stated they were offered the chance to sign Lewis-Skelly, a claim Arsenal equally deny. The west London club already carry two left-backs — Jorrel Hato and new arrival Pep Chavarria — and are absent from European competition this season, limiting their need for squad depth. With six central midfielders already on their books, a move appears unlikely unless significant departures — such as Enzo Fernandez — materialise first.
Lewis-Skelly's own stance
The player himself has made his preference clear: he wants to remain at Arsenal and fight for a starting place. Yet his position is not without pressure following Guimaraes' arrival at the club.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are actively looking to trim their squad before the window closes. Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli could leave if suitable offers arrive, while Fabio Vieira and Reiss Nelson are understood to be outside Arteta's plans. The Gunners have already sold Christian Norgaard to Everton for £7 million and Leandro Trossard to Besiktas for around £15 million, having invested over £250 million across last summer and the current window combined.
As an academy graduate, Lewis-Skelly would represent pure profit on Arsenal's books — a fact he playfully acknowledged himself, captioning a photo of him with the Premier League trophy
