Arsenal had initially made it clear that Myles Lewis-Skelly was not for sale, but that firm stance appears to be softening considerably in recent weeks.
According to The Independent, a sale could become possible if Arsenal complete ambitious moves for Bruno Guimarães and Vinicius Junior this summer.
The 19-year-old came through Arsenal’s Hale End academy and can operate at left-back or in central midfield, giving him versatility across multiple positions.
Lewis-Skelly burst onto the scene at the start of the 2024/25 season, quickly establishing himself as one of the most exciting young talents in English football.
He has since made 75 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal and earned his debut England cap under manager Thomas Tuchel, a remarkable achievement at his age.
However, his playing time dropped significantly last season, with Lewis-Skelly starting just five Premier League matches as Arsenal strengthened their squad considerably.
The £87.5 million signing of Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimarães has further complicated his long-term future at the Emirates Stadium, particularly in central midfield.
Lewis-Skelly was omitted from Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad due to his lack of regular game time during the 2025/26 campaign, a significant blow to his ambitions.
Manchester United are investigating whether a move for the young midfielder is possible, while they simultaneously pursue Lewis Hall from Newcastle United.
Chelsea have also reportedly been approached over a potential deal, with Lewis-Skelly understood to have been offered to the Stamford Bridge club following the Guimarães signing.
The shift in Arsenal’s position is notable given that reports only days earlier suggested the club had firmly told Manchester United the player was simply not available for transfer.
Lewis-Skelly featured 36 times across all competitions last season but started just 19 of those games, reflecting his gradual slide down the pecking order at the club.
His contract at the Emirates Stadium runs until June 2030, meaning Arsenal hold significant leverage in any negotiations over his potential departure this summer.
Former Arsenal defender Lee Dixon offered a candid assessment of the situation, urging the player to seek clarity directly from manager Mikel Arteta as soon as possible.
Dixon said: “At almost any other club, he’d be a starter. He was brilliant when he first broke in, lost his way a little bit, and now there’s that question of where he fits best.”
Dixon added: “If I were him, I’d be having a proper one-on-one chat in Arteta’s office, asking, ‘How do you see me at the club? How do I develop into what you want me to be, or do I need to go elsewhere?'”
Dixon warned that failing to resolve the situation quickly could have serious long-term consequences for Lewis-Skelly’s development as a professional footballer.
“Because if the plans don’t match up, you can spend four or five years drifting, and before you know it, you’re in your mid-20s, and half your career is gone,” Dixon cautioned.
According to football.london’s Bobby Vincent and Tom Canton, Lewis-Skelly has been offered to Chelsea following Arsenal’s completion of the Bruno Guimarães transfer.
The coming weeks are expected to clarify whether Lewis-Skelly remains part of Mikel Arteta’s long-term plans or moves on to secure regular first-team football elsewhere.
