Chelsea and Manchester United Reject Arsenal's £45m Offer for Myles Lewis-Skelly

Arsenal recently made waves in the transfer market by proposing a £45 million deal to Chelsea and Manchester United for their academy product, Myles Lewis-Skelly. The north London club appears eager to recover funds following substantial spending in midfield. Yet, both Premier League contenders surprised many by declining the offer for the versatile 19-year-old.

Rivals Turn Down Transfer Approach

This unexpected move saw Arsenal offering one of their most promising young players directly to rival clubs. Sources indicate intermediaries reached out to both Chelsea and Manchester United, aiming to finalize a transfer around £45 million. Despite his rising profile, neither club pursued the deal. According to The Telegraph, Chelsea passed on signing Lewis-Skelly, opting instead for Rayo Vallecano’s Pep Chavarria. Meanwhile, Manchester United reportedly declined outright.

Arteta Praises Lewis-Skelly’s Progress

The decision to offer Lewis-Skelly to rivals is puzzling, especially considering Mikel Arteta’s strong endorsement of the player’s growth. Reflecting on last season, Arteta praised his character and development:

"I’ve been tough on him. He had a spectacular season last year when he jumped into the first team. He faced some tough moments afterward but stayed humble, focused, and aligned with our goals. I knew he was ready. He’s shown in training every day that he deserves to play, and today he really stepped up with an incredible performance."

Lewis-Skelly Committed to Arsenal Ambitions

Despite the transfer buzz, Lewis-Skelly remains intent on proving himself at Arsenal. Reports from The Athletic suggest he isn’t seeking a move and wants to establish himself as a regular starter under Arteta. The Hale End academy graduate has expressed lofty goals, impressing coaches with his maturity. He once said:

"I want a legacy. I want to win everything there is to win in football. I want trophies on the biggest stages while always learning and staying grounded, which is very important."

United and Chelsea Pursue Other Targets

Manchester United’s rejection aligns with their recruitment plans under Michael Carrick. They are focusing on strengthening the left side of their defense, particularly with concerns over Luke Shaw’s fitness, targeting Newcastle’s Lewis Hall instead.

Chelsea follows a similar path, continuing their squad rebuilding. Though Lewis-Skelly fits the profile of a promising English talent, Chelsea’s move for Chavarria signals a preference for experienced defensive reinforcement.

• Offered Fee: £45 million
• Player Age: 19
• Player Position: Versatile midfielder/defender
• Arsenal Academy: Hale End graduate
• Alternative Targets: Pep Chavarria (Chelsea), Lewis Hall (Manchester United)