Myles Lewis-Skelly has just completed a superb breakthrough season with Arsenal, making 42 appearances in total.
Mikel Arteta trusted Lewis-Skelly to come into the Arsenal first team amid a bit of an injury crisis early in the season, and the 18-year-old has never looked back.
The Hale End graduate has seemingly emerged as Arteta’s first choice left-back heading into the new season — even if he’s predominantly been a midfielder in his youth career.
Of course, Lewis-Skelly also earned his first caps for England this year too and despite his tender age, he might already be being lined up for a starting spot at the World Cup under Thomas Tuchel.
William Saliba never expected Lewis-Skelly to be so good, so soon, and he’s definitely not alone in that view.
Myles Lewis-Skelly Arsenal contract talks are ‘not going well’
That being said, Arsenal have been in contract talks with Lewis-Skelly for some time now — an understandable move given his excellent campaign.
And whilst many have expected it to only be a matter of time until the youngster puts pen to paper, journalist Jonathan Wilson has a slightly more concerning update for Arsenal fans.
Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
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Speaking on Guardian Sport’s ‘Football Weekly’, Wilson claimed that contract talks with Lewis-Skelly had ‘not been going well’.
Furthermore, the journalist even added that Real Madrid were keeping a close eye on the situation, perhaps in a similar vein to how they managed to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool.
Wilson said: “I think they need a holding midfielder especially if Thomas Partey leaves which seems likely-ish, or certainly a strong possibility.
“They need someone to sit next to Declan Rice — he’s best when he’s got a bit of freedom to get forward.
“They’ve got to sort out Myles Lewis-Skelly’s contract which expires next summer and I think talks have not been going well from what I hear and Real Madrid are sort of sniffing around there.
“Imagine Real Madrid wanting a highly-rated Premier League fullback for free, almost unimaginable isn’t it?”
Would Myles Lewis-Skelly leave Arsenal?
From the outside looking in, it would currently appear unthinkable for Lewis-Skelly to leave north London.
The youngster appears to be an Arsenal fan who has managed to realise his dream of playing for the club, week in, week out.
And from Lewis-Skelly’s side at least, there hasn’t been the slightest public suggestion that he would even consider moving to another club.
In fact, Arteta has big plans for Lewis-Skelly next season and Arsenal fans can probably still rest assured that the youngster has a long-term future in N5, even if Wilson’s words are to be believed.
Jurrien Timber has praised Lewis-Skelly’s maturity off the pitch recently, and he’s definitely the kind of character who Arsenal will be determined to keep around.
A Hale End star thriving in Arteta’s first team, which is as good as it gets from Arsenal fan perspective.