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Image credit: Getty Images
Arsenal have fended off interest from European giants Real Madrid to secure the long-term future of rising star Myles Lewis-Skelly, who has signed a new contract keeping him at the club until 2030.
The 18-year-old, who enjoyed a breakout 2024/25 season at left-back, had attracted attention from some of Europe’s elite clubs, including Real Madrid. According toThe Times, the Spanish side had sounded out Lewis-Skelly in hopes of luring him to the Bernabéu on a free transfer, a strategy they successfully employed to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool earlier this summer.
However, Lewis-Skelly rebuffed those advances and reaffirmed his commitment to Arsenal by signing a lucrative new deal. The agreement is believed to make him one of the highest-paid teenagers in world football.
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Arsenal confirmed the contract extension on Thursday, describing the England youth international as a key part of the club’s future. Originally developed as a midfielder at Hale End, Lewis-Skelly impressed after being converted into a left-back and played a crucial role in the Gunners’ dominant Champions League quarter-final victory over Real Madrid, which ended 5-1 on aggregate.
Arsenal - Myles Lewis-Skelly
Myles Lewis-Skelly has signed a new long-term contract at Arsenal (Image creit: Getty Images)
Speaking after the announcement, Lewis-Skelly expressed his pride and ambition for the years ahead.
“I’m so proud and happy. I know those words are simple, but I think they sum up how I feel signing for this club,” he said. “I’m a fan and it’s like a dream come true. I’ve embodied the values of Hale End and come through. I’ve still got a lot of years ahead of me, so if I can keep staying humble and being a good person, that’s the most important thing to me.”
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Reflecting on his progress, the teenager added: “I’ve taken a lot from the games, the positive moments, the mistakes I’ve made. I’m definitely more ready now for the next season. I just want to keep learning and improving.”
Looking to the future, Lewis-Skelly made his intentions clear: “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 while being a person that’s always learning and stays grounded, which is so important.”
His decision to stay is being hailed as a major boost for Mikel Arteta’s squad, with the Gunners continuing their push to build a team capable of sustained domestic and European success.
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