Myles Lewis-Skelly will remain at Arsenal for the upcoming season after Manchester United balked at a reported about £60m valuation and Chelsea discussions stalled, according to reports from Football London, The Guardian, The Times, and The Athletic. The 19-year-old academy graduate, who plays at left-back and the base of midfield, became the subject of a swift transfer saga following conflicting claims regarding his market availability.
Manchester United Reject Move Over about £60m Valuation
Manchester United explored a potential deal after an intermediary sounded out the club in January regarding a about £60m price tag, according to reporting by The Times. United ultimately decided against pursuing the England international because leadership considered the fee too high. The Guardian subsequently reported that the prospective asking price dropped closer to in the region of £45m following a 2025–26 campaign where Lewis-Skelly made five league starts and 36 total appearances. Despite this price reduction, United declined to submit a formal bid, even though Erik ten Hag’s side required reinforcements in the exact defensive positions that Lewis-Skelly covers.
Did you know? Myles Lewis-Skelly signed a five-year contract extension with Arsenal in the summer of 2025, securing his long-term future with his boyhood club before drawing interest from rival Premier League sides.
Chelsea Links Dismissed as Player Commits to Arsenal
A prospective switch across London to Chelsea failed to materialize after reporting from The Athletic confirmed that nobody within Arsenal placed the teenager on the market. Instead, any outreach originated from agents or intermediaries. Lewis-Skelly wants to stay at Arsenal and is fully focused on establishing himself in Mikel Arteta’s first-team plans for the upcoming campaign, according to The Athletic. Arsenal are not actively offering the defender for sale, and he has featured regularly during pre-season training.
Midfield Competition and Squad Depth at Arsenal
Speculation surrounding Lewis-Skelly’s future initially gained traction following the arrival of Bruno Guimaraes, which added to an already crowded midfield alongside Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, and Mikel Merino. In the defensive line, manager Mikel Arteta relies on Piero Hincapie and Riccardo Calafiori at left-back. Despite stiff competition across both of his preferred positions, Lewis-Skelly intends to fight for regular minutes rather than explore a transfer away from North London.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was interested in signing Myles Lewis-Skelly?
Manchester United and Chelsea were both linked to the defender through intermediaries, though neither club completed a deal.
What is Myles Lewis-Skelly’s current contract status?
Lewis-Skelly signed a five-year contract with Arsenal in the summer of 2025 and remains committed to the club.
How much was Lewis-Skelly valued at during the transfer talks?
According to The Times and The Guardian, intermediaries initially floated a about £60m valuation in January, which later adjusted to around in the region of £45m.
What are your thoughts on Myles Lewis-Skelly’s decision to stay and fight for his place under Mikel Arteta? Join the conversation by leaving a comment below, and check out our latest transfer coverage for more updates on Premier League squad movements.
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