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

Arsenal recently made waves by proposing the sale of their promising academy graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly to two Premier League rivals, Chelsea and Manchester United. The north London side is aiming to recover funds following significant spending in midfield, but both clubs responded unexpectedly to the availability of the 19-year-old versatile player.

Rivals Decline Arsenal's Offer

In an unusual twist, Arsenal approached Chelsea and Manchester United about a potential transfer deal for Lewis-Skelly, with the offer reportedly set around £45 million. Despite the player's growing reputation, both clubs decided against pursuing the signing. According to The Telegraph, Chelsea declined the opportunity, focusing instead on acquiring Pep Chavarria from Rayo Vallecano. Meanwhile, Manchester United outright rejected the offer.

Arteta's Praise for Lewis-Skelly

Mikel Arteta’s endorsement of Lewis-Skelly makes Arsenal's move all the more puzzling. After the last season, Arteta praised the young star’s character and progress, saying,

"I’ve been tough on him. He had a spectacular season last year when he jumped into the first team. He had some difficult moments after that but stayed very humble, very focused, very aligned with what we wanted to do, and I knew he was ready."

"He’s been showing in training every day the opportunities that he had to play. He’s done it and today he really stepped up and I thought he had an incredible performance."

Lewis-Skelly’s Commitment to Arsenal

Despite all the transfer speculation, Lewis-Skelly remains dedicated to making his mark at Arsenal. Sources from The Athletic reveal that the player has no intention of moving and wants to secure a starting spot under Arteta. The Hale End academy product has expressed ambitious goals for his career, impressing many with his maturity.

"I want a legacy. I want to win everything there is to win in the game. I want to win trophies on the biggest stages whilst being a person that’s always learning and stays grounded, which is so important."

Why Chelsea and Manchester United Passed

Manchester United’s decision to pass on the £45 million offer aligns with their current recruitment plan under Michael Carrick. The club is primarily targeting a left-sided defender to address concerns over Luke Shaw’s fitness, concentrating efforts on Lewis Hall from Newcastle.

Chelsea is also revamping their squad but opted for experience over youth this time. The pursuit of Chavarria points to a desire for a different defensive profile, leaving Lewis-Skelly off their shopping list for now.