Myles Lewis-Skelly enjoyed an exceptional breakthrough campaign in the 2024/25 season, and Arsenal are now looking to tie the youngster down to a new contract.
The teenager only made his senior debut in September, but took advantage of opportunities given to him due to injuries to the likes of Riccardo Calafiori and Oleksandr Zinchenko mid-way through the season, establishing himself as the Gunners’ first-choice left-back.
Finishing the campaign with 23 Premier League appearances, Arsenal have opened contract talks with Lewis-Skelly, with his current deal set to expire next summer.
However, reports emerged last week suggesting that progression on this front has stalled somewhat, and Real Madrid are now interested in signing Lewis-Skelly on a free transfer in 12 months.
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Myles Lewis-Skelly says he’s an Arsenal fan amid Real Madrid links
Ethan Nwaneri is also out of contract next summer, and the Gunners have similar concerns about potential suitors looking to pounce and sign the 18-year-old.
Arsenal would receive a measly £1.5 million as compensation if both Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly were to depart for nothing, in what would be a disastrous outcome.
Fans of the North London club were no doubt panicking when rumours linking the latter to Real Madrid emerged last week, although the Hale End graduate’s latest comments about Arsenal mean the Gunners faithful can rest assured.
Speaking to Ian Wright in an interview for the Premier League, Lewis-Skelly referenced how he grew up watching Arsenal and has always been a fan.
“For me personally, I’m a fan of the club so you’re watching it on TV, going to the games and in your mind you always wanna get to where they’re at,” he said.
“You’re just playing, you’re just enjoying it and see where it takes you.”
While Lewis-Skelly has expressed his love for Arsenal previously, the bright lights of the Bernabeu can sway any player aspiring to be one of the best players in the world.
Thus, the defender reiterating that he is indeed a Gunners supporter will be music to the ears of the club’s fanbase.
Ethan Nwaneri’s contract situation is more of a concern for Arsenal
Arsenal Insider revealed in May that Arsenal aren’t close to securing Nwaneri’s long-term future.
The starlet is conscious of the fact that the Gunners are planning to invest heavily in their attack this summer, with two new signings expected in the forward areas.
While Lewis-Skelly has established himself as Arsenal’s first-choice left-back, Nwaneri’s role is much less defined, and the addition of two senior attacking players could threaten his prominence in Mikel Arteta’s team.
Nwaneri should theoretically be both Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka’s back-up, but the England under-21 international may have aspirations of playing more regularly than that already.
Liverpool and Manchester City are understood to be interested in prying Nwaneri away from N5, and this is a real concern for Andrea Berta and Arteta.
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