Surely Liverpool should be looking at this?
Myles Lewis-Skelly is reportedly available this summer, with Arsenal said to be open to offers for the 19-year-old following the arrival of Bruno Guimarães.
Manchester United and Chelsea have reportedly been offered the England international, with his potential transfer fee estimated at around £45 million.
And if that really is the asking price, I think Liverpool should be all over this opportunity.
He is exactly the type of player Liverpool should want
Lewis-Skelly is only 19 and already has Premier League and Champions League experience.
He has also represented England at senior level.
That is an incredibly impressive amount of experience for a player his age.
And what makes him particularly interesting is his versatility.
He can play at left-back or in midfield, giving Liverpool another player capable of performing different roles.
That could be incredibly valuable under Andoni Iraola.
Imagine Lewis-Skelly under Iraola
This is what makes the possibility particularly exciting.
Iraola wants his Liverpool team to play aggressive, energetic football.
Lewis-Skelly has the technical ability and confidence to operate in that sort of system.
He is comfortable receiving the ball under pressure and has the athleticism to contribute at both ends of the pitch.
He also has that fearless quality you often see in young players.
Rather than simply playing the safe pass, he is prepared to carry the ball forward and make things happen.
That could fit beautifully into Iraola’s philosophy.
Liverpool’s left side could be sorted for years
Liverpool have already brought in Milos Kerkez to strengthen the left-back position.
But Lewis-Skelly would give Iraola another fascinating option.
You could potentially have Kerkez providing attacking width from left-back while Lewis-Skelly develops as a hybrid option capable of playing either there or in midfield.
And remember, Lewis-Skelly is only 19.
He isn’t a finished product.
Liverpool would be buying a player who could potentially improve enormously over the next five years.
£45m is a lot — but so is the potential
Would I happily pay £45 million?
I’m not sure Liverpool should simply throw £45m at Arsenal because the player is available.
But I would certainly be asking the question.
Young English players with Premier League experience are expensive for a reason.
Lewis-Skelly also has the advantage of already knowing the demands of English football.
There wouldn’t be the same adaptation period required for a player arriving from another country.
And if Liverpool genuinely believe he can become a top-level midfielder as well as a left-back, £45m could eventually look like very good business.
The Arsenal factor makes it interesting
The fact that Arsenal are reportedly willing to consider selling him is the surprising part.
Lewis-Skelly has been viewed as one of their most exciting young players, and he has already made a significant number of first-team appearances.
Reports suggest his playing time became more limited last season, with Arsenal now considering a move following their midfield additions.
Liverpool should be asking themselves one simple question:
Could he become a better player at Anfield than he currently is at Arsenal?
I think there is a very good chance.
And imagine him in Liverpool’s midfield
This is the part that really interests me.
Liverpool have plenty of midfield options, but Lewis-Skelly could potentially develop into a player capable of operating as a No.6 or No.8.
His ability to carry the ball would be particularly useful.
Imagine him receiving possession from the centre-backs, driving through midfield and helping Liverpool transition from defence into attack.
Now add Wirtz further forward.
Szoboszlai making runs.
Isak leading the line.
Barcola potentially attacking from the wing.
Suddenly Lewis-Skelly’s ability to break lines becomes even more valuable.
Liverpool shouldn’t let this one pass them by
Of course, there is a huge question:
Would Lewis-Skelly actually want to leave Arsenal for Liverpool?
And would Arsenal even want to sell him to another Premier League club?
Those are questions Liverpool cannot control.
But if Arsenal genuinely are prepared to listen to offers, Liverpool should at least be making the phone call.
This is exactly the sort of opportunity that shouldn’t be ignored.
A 19-year-old England international.
Premier League experience.
Champions League experience.
Can play left-back and midfield.
Technically gifted.
Physically capable.
And still with enormous room for improvement.
Surely Liverpool should be asking the question?
Liverpool have already shown this summer that they are willing to spend serious money on young, high-quality players.
Lewis-Skelly fits that recruitment philosophy perfectly.
He wouldn’t necessarily need to become a starter immediately.
He could compete with Kerkez at left-back, provide another midfield option and gradually develop into whichever position Iraola believes suits him best.
£45m isn’t cheap.
But neither is finding an elite young English player who can cover two positions.
With Manchester United and Chelsea reportedly already aware of his availability, Liverpool cannot afford to sit back and watch if they genuinely believe in the player.
If Myles Lewis-Skelly really is available, Liverpool should be all over this.
At 19, this could be the sort of signing that benefits Liverpool not just for the next season, but for the next decade.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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