Chelsea are eyeing a surprise move for Arsenal defender Myles Lewis-Skelly, journalist Simon Phillips has claimed.
The Stamford Bridge side are reportedly looking to lure the 19-year-old left-back from their London rivals and have been ‘aggressive and bold’ in their attempts to convince the England international.
After his breakout 2024/25 campaign, Lewis-Skelly has struggled for regular minutes at Arsenal, clocking just 87 minutes of Premier League football under Mikel Arteta this term.
The 19-year-old has featured regularly in the Champions League, where Arsenal sit top of the table after five games, making three starts and registering one assist in the win over Atletico Madrid last month.
Chelsea Eyeing Surprise Lewis-Skelly Deal
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According to Phillips, Lewis-Skelly remains determined to succeed at Arsenal following his standout campaign last season, and it remains to be seen whether Chelsea could tempt him amid their ‘aggressive’ efforts:
"Our Arsenal source says that Chelsea are now being ‘aggressive and bold’ in their attempts to convince the Gunners star to head to Chelsea.
"Lewis-Skelly is determined to make it at Arsenal, but could Chelsea end up tempting him now? Time will tell."
Lewis-Skelly was linked with a move to another Premier League club earlier this month amid his struggles for regular minutes under Arteta this season.
The 'elite' 19-year-old has mainly been a third-choice option behind Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie at left-back this term, registering just five starts across all competitions.
As a result, he has lost his footing in the England picture, with Thomas Tuchel publicly warning the youngster that he needs to be playing more to make himself a candidate for the World Cup squad.
Arsenal Determined to Keep Lewis-Skelly
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Chelsea’s rumoured interest comes following reports from GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Fabrizio Romano, who revealed that Arsenal have no intention of letting Lewis-Skelly go in January.
The Gunners aim to retain their squad depth for the latter stages of the campaign and have reportedly ruled out any potential loan or permanent departure.
Romano claims Arsenal see Lewis-Skelly as an ‘absolutely crucial’ player in Arteta’s squad, despite the 19-year-old defender yet to start a Premier League game this term.
Lewis-Skelly was a regular under the Spaniard last season, with 15 of his 23 league appearances for Arsenal coming in the starting line-up.
Giroud Last to Leave Arsenal for Chelsea
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If Lewis-Skelly ends up joining Chelsea, he would become the first player to swap Arsenal for Stamford Bridge since Olivier Giroud in 2018.
Arsenal, meanwhile, have recruited extensively from the Blues in recent seasons, welcoming the likes of Noni Madueke, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Kai Havertz, Jorginho and Willian.