Arsenal are willing to entertain interest from Manchester United in left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly this summer - but the England international won't come cheaply
Myles Lewis-Skelly
Myles Lewis-Skelly has caught the eye of Man United(Image: Getty Images)
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Arsenal will reportedly consider interest from Manchester United in defender Myles Lewis-Skelly this summer, provided their asking price is met. United have earmarked Lewis-Skelly as a potential replacement for Luke Shaw at left-back and have been encouraged by Arsenal's position.
Lewis-Skelly enjoyed a breakthrough season under Mikel Arteta's stewardship last term, but has found opportunities far more difficult to secure in 2025/26. The summer signing of Piero Hincapie created intense competition at left-back, with Riccardo Calafiori also positioned ahead of the 19-year-old in the hierarchy.
He has featured 28 times across all competitions, yet has started only once in the Premier League, accumulating just over 300 minutes in total in the league. With Hincapie's initial loan from Bayer Leverkusen scheduled to become permanent this summer, it is evident that Lewis-Skelly may need to depart in order to guarantee more consistent playing time.
And while Arsenal take pride in their academy products, it appears that Arteta and the Gunners leadership are adopting a pragmatic approach to business. BBC Sport reports that Arsenal are prepared to sell both Lewis-Skelly and fellow youngster Ethan Nwaneri, but demand a combined £100million for the pair.
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Nwaneri is presently on loan at Marseille, having departed in January in search of more consistent playing time. Much like Lewis-Skelly, his chances diminished following an influx of new signings during the summer.
Arsenal's uncompromising approach towards the existing squad is evidenced by the fact that Gabriel Jesus, Ben White and Gabriel Martinelli could all be offloaded should suitable bids arrive.
Arteta was questioned about the challenge of balancing opportunities for academy products with winning trophies during his press conference ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash against Bournemouth. He emphasised that youngsters must earn their minutes, as there are no guarantees at the highest level.
Myles Lewis-Skelly and Rayan
Myles Lewis-Skelly in action for Arsenal vs Bournemouth(Image: Getty Images)
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"It's part of us," he said regarding Hale End graduates Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri. "I think at the end, what it has to define this football club is to seek for the excellence and to seek for the best, regardless of whether you're coming from the academy or from abroad.
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"At the end, if we can have players from Hale End, obviously much better because the identity is there. We grow with them, and they know exactly what we're looking for. But then they have to earn it, and not for a week, not for a month, not for years like anybody else.
"It doesn't matter what department or role you have in the club. At the end, you have to sustain performance and that has to be at the very highest level. If we want to win sustainably, we want to win." He added: "The margins are shorter, but we're doing something as well that is unprecedented. We have players that played in competitions that nobody else has done at that age. I think the balance is there.
"We are doing everything that we can to accommodate that, especially because they deserve the opportunity, which is the best thing. Nobody is here to give a gift, an opportunity to somebody that doesn't deserve it. Everybody that has been in and around the first team, they deserve to be there."