Chelsea have submitted a fresh inquiry regarding the potential signing of Arsenal's midfielder Myles Lewis-Skelly. The London club has maintained a long-standing interest in Lewis-Skelly and has made another inquiry about his availability following Arsenal's recent acquisition of Bruno Guimaraes.
However, Arsenal are reluctant to sell the player to a local rival, particularly one they may compete with for top spots this season. Chelsea had previously expressed interest in Lewis-Skelly in January, while Manchester United also have a long-term interest in the player. Nevertheless, United are still undecided about committing to sign another midfielder or a left-back before the transfer deadline.
The market for central midfield players has seen high prices this summer, although Lewis-Skelly's versatility in playing both positions is an asset. Arsenal kept their squad intact last season despite significant spending and aim to be ambitious again this summer, but they acknowledge that sales will be necessary. Players like Ethan Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly would generate pure profit for the club. Lewis-Skelly had a challenging campaign last season, but his fortunes changed when Mikel Arteta deployed him in a new midfield role for a crucial game against Fulham, which helped Arsenal regain momentum in the title race.
Lewis-Skelly's performance earned him a regular spot in the midfield for the remainder of the season, including the Champions League final. However, the signing of Bruno Guimaraes has raised questions about Lewis-Skelly's role in the team. With a crowded midfield, Arsenal may need to make difficult decisions, including potentially selling one of their players. Lewis-Skelly has become a fan favorite at Arsenal, showcasing his ability in both midfield and left-back positions.
The club has valid reasons to retain him, particularly given the heavy workload of key midfielder Declan Rice over the past year. Rice's extensive playing time has raised concerns about his ability to continue performing at a high level without adequate rest. If Rice is to be rotated more frequently, it could create opportunities for Lewis-Skelly to play. Nevertheless, Arsenal also have other options for rotating Rice, including Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino.
The club's need to address other areas and generate significant transfer sales has created a conundrum regarding Lewis-Skelly's future. Manager Mikel Arteta has emphasized the need for important decisions to be made this summer to take the team to the next level, and the potential sale of a popular academy graduate like Lewis-Skelly to a Premier League rival would be a contentious decision.