Man United priced out of Lewis-Skelly as Villa make early move for Zirkzee

Manchester United’s summer transfer activity has taken two significant turns: the club has abandoned its pursuit of Arsenal left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly over valuation concerns, while Aston Villa have made an early approach for striker Joshua Zirkzee, according to reports.

United had been monitoring Lewis-Skelly alongside Chelsea, with Arsenal signalling openness to a sale. However, The Athletic’s David Ornstein reported that the asking price was deemed “too high” by United, who subsequently shifted focus to Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba — a long-standing target who is now set to join. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has since declared he is “100 per cent” certain Lewis-Skelly will remain at the club.

Newcastle’s Lewis Hall had also been identified as a left-back option, but United were similarly put off by the Magpies’ valuation. Hall is now reportedly in talks over a new contract at St James’ Park and a role in the club’s leadership group under new head coach Matthias Jaissle.

The need for reinforcements was underscored by a chastening 2-0 opening-day defeat to newly promoted Hull City, a result that exposed the squad’s current limitations ahead of a Champions League campaign. United have already brought in midfielder Andrey Santos from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa, with Baleba set to complete the midfield overhaul before the window closes on September 1.

On the outgoing front, Fabrizio Romano reports that Aston Villa have “made a call” to United regarding Zirkzee, though their interest remains at an early stage. The Dutch striker has been heavily linked with a move to Napoli, but that deal has stalled while the Serie A club work to move a player out first, opening the door to alternative suitors.

Villa have undergone a sweeping squad rebuild this summer, with Lucas Digne, Morgan Rogers, Ezri Konsa and Tielemans among those departing, while former United pair Alejandro Garnacho and Aaron Wan-Bissaka have arrived. Zirkzee’s departure from Old Trafford is widely considered a matter of when rather than if after a difficult debut season in English football.