Myles Lewis-Skelly wants to stay at Arsenal despite Manchester United and Chelsea interest

Myles Lewis-Skelly has no desire to leave Arsenal this summer, despite reported interest from Manchester United and Chelsea.

Reports on Tuesday claimed the 19-year-old had been offered to both clubs, with Arsenal prepared to consider his departure if a suitable bid arrived for the versatile England international.

However, The Athletic reports that Lewis-Skelly is keen to remain in north London and is fully focused on earning Mikel Arteta’s trust during the 2026-27 season.

Lewis-Skelly signed a new five-year contract with Arsenal last summer and remains happy at his boyhood club. The club’s hierarchy are not currently attempting to push him towards an exit.

Arsenal would also have little reason to sell while the player wants to stay and compete for his place, unless one of his suitors submits an offer so large that it becomes impossible to reject. That figure could be more than £70m.

Lewis-Skelly joined Arsenal’s Hale End academy in 2015 and has since progressed to make 75 appearances for the first team. He has scored once and provided six assists.

He has featured primarily in midfield during Arsenal’s pre-season preparations, which conclude with a home match against Como at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening.

The teenager’s ability to operate in several positions, combined with his bravery and exceptional knack for winning set-pieces for his side, has made him a valuable option for Arteta at both left-back and in midfield.

His future has nevertheless become a subject of interest during the summer transfer window after he fell from first choice to third choice at left-back under Arteta within a matter of months.

Lewis-Skelly made a surprise breakthrough for Arsenal and England during the 2024-25 season. But competition from Piero Hincapie and Riccardo Calafiori in 2025-26 restricted him to five Premier League starts.

He had a more prominent role in the starting XI in the Champions League, beginning eight matches, including the final against Paris Saint-Germain. He played in midfield in that match instead of Martin Zubimendi, who was suffering from fatigue.

Arsenal’s permanent signing of Hincapie and the arrival of Bruno Guimaraes have since raised concerns that Lewis-Skelly could slip further down Arteta’s pecking order in the coming campaign. That possibility had appeared capable of opening the door to a move that might have benefited the player.

If Arsenal do not sell Lewis-Skelly to generate funds, the club will still need to raise money through other departures. Their net spending currently stands at £103.9m, following expenditure of more than £140m on new signings and sales of just under £40m.

A number of attacking players could leave, with Arsenal willing to listen to offers for Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Ethan Nwaneri and Fabio Vieira. Reiss Nelson is also believed to be in negotiations with a Championship club.

Ben White’s future remains unresolved, while young goalkeeper Tommy Setford could depart on loan if Kepa Arrizabalaga stays with Arsenal.