Signing Myles Lewis-Skelly Would Make a Lot of Sense for Chelsea, Man Utd

Myles Lewis-Skelly could be a victim of Arsenal’s $101 million (£75 million) capture of Bruno Guimarães amid the homegrown teenager reportedly being offered to Premier League rivals.

Lewis-Skelly has played 75 times for the Gunners since breaking into the first team in 2024 and last summer was rewarded with a new five-year contract until 2030. The homegrown talent, now aged 19, initially made his mark at left back but is a natural midfielder.

His opportunities decreased in 2025–26, but Lewis-Skelly still started in central midfield ahead of Martín Zubimendi in the Champions League final alongside Declan Rice.

But the sport is ruthless and football.london report Chelsea and Manchester United have both been offered Lewis-Skelly, with Arsenal perhaps willing to consider a sale. Chelsea have longstanding interest in the teenager and a “good offer” would be hard for the Gunners to reject.

Why Lewis-Skelly Makes Sense for Chelsea, Man Utd

Myles Lewis-Skelly — Lewis-Skelly is a proven talent with a huge ceiling. | Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto/Getty Images

According to Sky Sports, Chelsea have already made a “new enquiry” for the England international. It is reported that Arsenal “do not want to sell” to a local rival, which suggests that Lewis-Skelly being ‘offered’ to clubs has come from representatives or intermediaries, sensing his game time will further diminish this season by staying in north London.

The Blues are generally trying to reduce the size of their bloated squad, but the fact that Marc Cucurella was sold to Real Madrid earlier this summer means they need a direct replacement for the World Cup-winning left back. Rayo Vallecano fullback Pep Chavarría is rumored to be on his way to Stamford Bridge, but the 28-year-old is not a long-term successor like Lewis-Skelly could be.

As a skilled left back and midfielder, Lewis-Skelly potentially ticks two needs for Manchester United, who must find short-term cover for Luke Shaw but also consider a long-term replacement. Meanwhile, the squad only has three available senior central midfielders—Kobbie Mainoo, Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos—four, if counting a repurposed Mason Mount.

The Guardian report his price could be set at around $61 million (£45 million). For context, that falls within the range of what the Red Devils have spent on Santos and Tielemans this summer. Given Newcastle United’s stubborn position on Lewis Hall, an alternative left back of interest at Old Trafford, signing Lewis-Skelly would appear to be more straightforward and more affordable.

Why Would Arsenal Sell Lewis-Skelly?

Bruno Guimarães arriving is a blow for the youngster. | Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC/Getty Images

In Lewis-Skelly, Arsenal have a talented asset going to waste. He managed to play his way into the England national team in early 2025 and appeared a shoo-in to go to the World Cup this summer until falling out of Mikel Arteta’s favor destroyed his chance.

But the Gunners have committed around $117.5 million (£87 million) on Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapié since 2024. It was the latter, previously considered a center back, becoming the regular starting left back last season that helped push Lewis-Skelly to the fringes.

The youngster doesn’t appear to fit Arteta’s vision for the Arsenal defense, where everyone—even the fullbacks—are actually physically imposing center backs.

In midfield, his prospects are no longer any better, with Guimarães adding to the competition that already existed from Rice, Zubimendi and Mikel Merino. Martin Ødegaard would also be in competition in a 4-3-3, while Arteta has returned to using Kai Havertz deeper in preseason.

Mikel Arteta values others over Myles Lewis-Skelly. | Charles McQuillan/Getty Images

Arsenal could command a healthy transfer fee for a player who might not be used that much, which in terms of the cold, hard reality of the Premier League’s financial regulations is always an important consideration. Hincapié initially joining on loan last summer was as a result of not being able to afford him at the time and delaying payment of the transfer fee.

Incoming transfers this summer account for more than $200 million, compared to less than $54 million raised through player sales. Even with accounting practices spreading the cost of transfers over multiple years and allowing clubs to record sale prices in full, actually offloading players for decent money is still important.

It makes sense for Lewis-Skelly, too. His association with Arsenal stretches back over a decade already, even at 19, but his career prospects look better elsewhere. Euro 2028 with England is also coming into view on the horizon and he only realistically stands a chance of that once in a lifetime experience of playing an international tournament by switching things up at club level.

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