Why Man Utd, Chelsea ‘Turned Down’ Signing Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly

Manchester United and Chelsea have reportedly passed up the opportunity to sign Arsenal left back Myles Lewis-Skelly, who now finds his place in north London rather tenuous.

When Lewis-Skelly signed a long-term deal with the Gunners back in June 2025, he set a lofty goal: “I want to win everything there is to win in the game.” The teenager, who locked down his future through 2030 at his boyhood club, got started right away, helping Arsenal win the Premier League title last season.

He also started the Champions League final, a match that ended in heartbreak for the newly crowned English champions. The future was undoubtedly bright, though, for Mikel Arteta’s side ... but perhaps not for Lewis-Skelly.

Recent reports claim Arsenal slapped a $60.8 million (£45 million) price tag on the England international and offered him to rivals United and Chelsea. It didn’t take long for either club to respond.

According to The Telegraph, United and Chelsea swiftly turned down the chance to sign Lewis-Skelly. There is a “strong feeling” the 19-year-old has been offered to other clubs as well as Arsenal shop around their homegrown talent, whose exit would bring in some pure profit.

Why Man Utd, Chelsea ‘Snubbed’ Lewis-Skelly

Michael Carrick is still in the market for a few pieces at United. | MI News/NurPhoto/Getty Images

It comes as no surprise Chelsea did not jump at the chance to sign Lewis-Skelly. Although the Blues bid farewell to starting left back Marc Cucurella this summer, they have already found his replacement in Pep Chavarría.

The former Rayo Vallecano standout signed a five-year contract with Chelsea on Wednesday, joining Xabi Alonso’s project for a fee around $28.8 million. The west London outfit has now spent over $400 million this summer, welcoming the likes of Morgan Rogers, Maxence Lacroix and Geovany Quenda, among others, to Stamford Bridge.

United, though, have not been nearly as active this summer and remain in the market for a left back and a third midfielder after already signing Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans. Lewis-Skelly could have fulfilled both those needs himself, but the Red Devils appear to be holding out hope for Newcastle United left back Lewis Hall.

The 20-time English champions have also been linked with Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga, who can also play both in midfield and at left back.

What’s Next for Lewis-Skelly at Arsenal?

Myles Lewis-Skelly has even more competition now at Arsenal. | Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile/Getty Images

Lewis-Skelly had a breakout 2024–25 campaign in a red shirt only to be largely pushed aside last season. Arteta preferred new arrival Piero Hincapié at left back, with Riccardo Calafiori also eating up minutes at the position.

Suddenly, the teenager’s best chance at playing time came in midfield. Lewis-Skelly managed to keep Martín Zubimendi on the bench for the Champions League final, getting the nod alongside Declan Rice.

But now with the arrival of Bruno Guimarães from Newcastle, Lewis-Skelly’s chances of logging consistent minutes in midfield are slim to none. Martin Ødegaard, Mikel Merino and even Kai Havertz are also options at Arteta’s disposal, pushing Lewis-Skelly to the fringes without any sure pathway back into the XI.

Still, The Telegraph report Lewis-Skelly is “determined to fight for his place” at the Emirates. Success, though, could be hard to come by. The Englishman will likely have to settle for starring in cup competitions as opposed to big Premier League and Champions League matches next season, a price he must pay for staying in north London as opposed to starting a fresh chapter elsewhere.

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