Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
Myles Lewis-Skelly’s future is a big talking point this week with Arsenal seemingly open to selling the England international – but the Gunners are reluctant to sell him to Chelsea.
Initial reports on Tuesday suggested Lewis-Skelly had been offered to Chelsea. With the Arsenal product a long-term target for Chelsea, it will have certainly caught the Blues’ attention ahead of a possible move.
The signing of Bruno Guimaraes has ruined any chance Lewis-Skelly had of breaking into Mikel Arteta’s midfield this season, while Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie sit ahead of him in the left-back rankings.
A move makes sense for Lewis-Skelly then, and a transfer to Chelsea might have suited the six-time England ace given he would remain in London. However, a new report has emerged on Arsenal’s stance.
Arsenal do not want to sell Lewis-Skelly to a London rival
Over the years, Arsenal and Chelsea have surprisingly done plenty of business. In the current Gunners squad, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Kai Havertz and Noni Madueke all joined the North Londoners from Chelsea.
David Luiz, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Willian and so many more have played for both clubs. Cesc Fabregas, who is a big fan of Lewis-Skelly, is another. It makes Arsenal’s stance on Lewis-Skelly surprising.
Myles Lewis-Skelly of Arsenal
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According to Sky Sports News on Tuesday afternoon, Chelsea are indeed interested in signing Lewis-Skelly from Arsenal. However, Arsenal’s stance is that they do not want to sell him to a London rival.
“Chelsea have made an enquiry about signing Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly. The club have a long-term interest in the midfielder and have made another check on his availability after Bruno Guimaraes.
“However, Arsenal do not want to sell Lewis-Skelly to a local rival, and a team they may have to compete with for the top places this season. Manchester United also have a long-term interest in Lewis-Skelly.”
Arsenal’s stance on Chelsea is interesting, aside from Lewis-Skelly
Chelsea finished tenth in the Premier League last season, failing to qualify for European football. The Blues were disorganised, ill-disciplined and could not develop any kind of consistency this season.
Xabi Alonso graphic
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However, the appointment of Xabi Alonso and the signings of Morgan Rogers, Danny Welbeck, Jordan Henderson and other players has clearly changed the tide. So much so, that Arsenal are fearful.
To the point that they do now want to strengthen the Blues by allowing Lewis-Skelly to join Chelsea. Even more so, they would seemingly rather sell Lewis-Skelly to Man United, such is their stance on Chelsea.