Chelsea and Manchester United Reject Arsenal's £45m Offer for Myles Lewis-Skelly
Arsenal shocked the transfer scene by offering their young talent Myles Lewis-Skelly to Premier League rivals Chelsea and Manchester United. The north London club, looking to recover funds after heavy midfield investments, reportedly placed a £45 million price tag on the 19-year-old academy product. Yet, both potential buyers have surprisingly turned down the opportunity.
Unexpected Responses from Chelsea and Manchester United
The offer to sell Lewis-Skelly to direct competitors raised eyebrows in the Premier League. Sources indicate intermediaries approached Chelsea and Manchester United with the proposal, but neither club is moving forward.
- Chelsea: According to The Telegraph, Chelsea declined the chance to sign Lewis-Skelly, instead targeting Rayo Vallecano's Pep Chavarria to strengthen their squad.
- Manchester United: The Red Devils outright rejected the offer, focusing recruitment efforts elsewhere.
Arteta's Praise Contrasts Arsenal's Transfer Plans
Offering the promising youngster to rivals seems at odds with manager Mikel Arteta's support. After last season, Arteta praised Lewis-Skelly’s growth and character.
"I’ve been tough on him. He had a spectacular season last year when he jumped into the first team," Arteta said. "He had some difficult moments after that but he stayed very humble, very focused, very aligned with what we wanted to do, and I knew he was ready."
"He’s been showing in training every day the opportunities that he had to play. He’s done it and today he really stepped up and I thought he had an incredible performance."
Lewis-Skelly Committed to Arsenal Ambitions
Despite the transfer speculation, Myles Lewis-Skelly remains committed to Arsenal. Reports from The Athletic state he is not considering a move and aims to earn his place in the starting lineup under Arteta.
The Hale End academy graduate has expressed lofty career goals, impressing many coaches with his maturity. He once said:
"I want a legacy. I want to win everything there is to win in the game. I want to win trophies on the biggest stages whilst being a person that’s always learning and stays grounded, which is so important."
Other Targets for Manchester United and Chelsea
Manchester United are searching for a left-sided defender due to worries over Luke Shaw’s fitness. Their focus is on Newcastle’s Lewis Hall rather than Lewis-Skelly.
Chelsea continues to reshape their squad, with an eye on experience and balance in defense. Their interest in Pep Chavarria signals a preference for a different profile than the young English midfielder.
