Arsenal set £50m price tag on Lewis-Skelly as Man Utd retain transfer interest

Manchester United are still pursuing Myles Lewis-Skelly despite the Arsenal teenager appearing to be off the market, with the Gunners now understood to be open to a sale if their asking price of upwards of £50m is met, according to reports.

The 19-year-old’s position at the Emirates had looked increasingly uncertain after Arsenal signed Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United for £75m earlier this summer, raising questions about where Lewis-Skelly would fit in Mikel Arteta’s midfield. However, he started alongside Declan Rice in Arsenal’s 3-0 season-opening victory over Coventry City on Friday — with Guimaraes sidelined through injury — and had previously grabbed an assist in the Community Shield win over Manchester City.

Manager Michael Carrick has been targeting reinforcements at left-back and in midfield, two positions Lewis-Skelly covers. United have already had an approach for Newcastle’s Lewis Hall rebuffed, and while Carlos Baleba is set to arrive from Brighton in a £70m deal, securing a left-back remains a priority. Reports suggest United are hesitant over Arsenal’s valuation, having previously assumed Lewis-Skelly was firmly unavailable.

Luke Shaw remains United’s first-choice option at left-back, though the 29-year-old is entering the final year of his contract and has battled persistent injury problems. Patrick Dorgu and academy prospect Harry Amass are also considered options in that position.

Lewis-Skelly has not commented publicly on the speculation. When he signed a contract extension at Arsenal last year, he made his ambitions clear: “I want a legacy. I want to win everything there is to win in the game.”

With just over a week remaining in the summer transfer window, the situation remains fluid — United’s interest is genuine, but bridging the gap between their willingness to spend and Arsenal’s valuation will determine whether a deal is possible.