Chelsea and Manchester United Reject Arsenal's £45m Offer for Myles Lewis-Skelly
Arsenal caused a stir in the Premier League transfer scene by reportedly offering their academy graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly to rivals Chelsea and Manchester United. The north London club, aiming to recover funds after significant spending on midfield, set a price around £45 million for the versatile 19-year-old. Both Chelsea and United, however, responded unexpectedly by turning down the offer.
Premier League Rivals Turn Down Transfer Opportunity
The move raised eyebrows as Arsenal seemed ready to part with one of their brightest young players to direct competition. According to reports, intermediaries approached both Chelsea and Manchester United with the proposal, but the reaction was far from enthusiastic.
- Chelsea: Declined the chance to sign Lewis-Skelly, choosing instead to pursue Pep Chavarria from Rayo Vallecano.
- Manchester United: Firmly rejected the offer, focusing on other targets in their recruitment plan.
Arteta’s Support for Lewis-Skelly Remains Strong
It is curious that Arsenal offered Lewis-Skelly to rivals given Mikel Arteta's public praise for the youngster. At the end of last season, Arteta highlighted the player's resilience and growth:
"I’ve been tough on him. He had a spectacular season last year when he jumped into the first team. He had some difficult moments after that but he stayed very humble, focused, and aligned with what we wanted to do. 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’s Future
Despite the buzz about a potential exit, Myles Lewis-Skelly seems intent on staying with Arsenal and fighting for his place. Sources suggest the player has no plans to leave and remains dedicated to earning a spot in the starting lineup under Arteta’s guidance.
The Hale End product has made clear his ambitions, impressing 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."
Why Chelsea and Manchester United Passed on Lewis-Skelly
Manchester United declined the deal due to their specific recruitment needs. Under Michael Carrick, they are prioritizing a left-sided defender because of concerns about Luke Shaw’s fitness, focusing on Newcastle’s Lewis Hall.
Chelsea are also revamping their squad and favored experience over youth this time, opting for Pep Chavarria to reinforce their defense.
