Rio Ferdinand Urges Manchester United and Chelsea to Sign Myles Lewis-Skelly

Rio Ferdinand has urged Manchester United and Chelsea to stop hesitating and throw serious money at Arsenal starlet Myles Lewis-Skelly, insisting the teenager could be a bargain at £60–70 million.

According to reports, Arsenal have made the 19-year-old England international available to both clubs this summer after a whirlwind season in North London. Lewis-Skelly fought through a difficult start to the 2025-26 campaign, then burst into Mikel Arteta’s side when it mattered most, helping drive Arsenal to the Premier League title and a Champions League final.

That late surge changed his status overnight. From promising squad option to key cog in a title-winning machine.

Yet Arsenal are understood to be ready to listen to offers. The Gunners have just sanctioned a £75m move for Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle, a major midfield signing that could open the door for Lewis-Skelly’s departure if the right bid lands on the table.

Ferdinand, speaking on his YouTube channel, made it clear what he would do if he were in charge at Old Trafford.

“If I’m Manchester United right now I say press the green button and buy him, take him, right now,” he said. “What a player, a top player. He was a massive part of the team when he was brought in towards the end of the season. He contributed to Arsenal winning the league, he was brilliant and came in and produced.

“If he’s on the market and he’s a good price you have to take him. The good price I’m saying is £60m or £70m. If that’s the case, get the chequebook out, slap it down and sign him. No questions asked, I would take him.”

For Ferdinand, it’s not just the talent. It’s the toolbox.

Lewis-Skelly has already shown he can operate across midfield, but his ability to slot in at left-back is what really catches the former United defender’s eye. United leaned heavily on Luke Shaw last season, and while the England international came through with fitness and form, the lack of a natural deputy on that flank remains a glaring weakness.

Patrick Dorgu is now viewed more as a left-winger. Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot can fill in, but neither is a specialist on the left. Lewis-Skelly, Ferdinand argues, ticks that box instantly.

“He’s young, a huge talent, can play in two positions and I think mentally he’s made of the right stuff,” Ferdinand explained. “The left-back position at Manchester United is not a problem because we’ve got Luke Shaw who played a lot of games last season and stayed fit.

“But if he does get injured we haven’t got a natural left-back sitting there. Dorgu is more of a left-winger now and Mazraoui and Dalot aren’t full left-backs. So that’s an area I think you can bring in someone like Myles Lewis-Skelly and he can play man, definitely.”

Lewis-Skelly’s rise has been rapid. Since making his senior debut for boyhood club Arsenal in 2024, he has already racked up 75 appearances. His form earned him six caps for England, a remarkable return for a player still in his teens, even if Thomas Tuchel left him out of the most recent World Cup squad.

Now, with Guimaraes through the door and Arsenal seemingly open to a sale at the right price, the spotlight swings firmly to Manchester and west London. United and Chelsea have both been invited to the table.

The question is simple: who is willing to write the cheque first and hand Lewis-Skelly the next stage of his Premier League career at Old Trafford or Stamford Bridge?