Arsenal’s highly-rated young defender Myles Lewis-Skelly has reportedly made his preference known amid interest from Manchester United and Chelsea.

    The teenager has emerged as one of the most exciting prospects in English football, drawing attention from some of the country’s biggest clubs.

    Both Manchester United and Chelsea are understood to have sounded out the possibility of signing the versatile Arsenal academy graduate.

    Lewis-Skelly has established himself as a genuine first-team presence at Arsenal, showing impressive maturity well beyond his years.

    His ability to operate in multiple positions across the left side has made him an attractive proposition for clubs looking to strengthen their defensive options.

    Arsenal have long been committed to developing young talent through their academy system, with Lewis-Skelly representing one of their most prized graduates.

    The north London club will be keen to hold onto a player who has demonstrated significant potential at the highest level of the English game.

    Interest from United and Chelsea underlines just how highly Lewis-Skelly is regarded across the Premier League, with rivals keeping a close watch on his development.

    Despite the approaches from those clubs, the young defender is said to have made his preference clear regarding his future footballing path.

    Reports suggest Lewis-Skelly remains focused on continuing his development at Arsenal, where he has already broken into the senior setup.

    Mikel Arteta’s side have built much of their recent success on a foundation of young, technically gifted players who have come through structured development pathways.

    Losing a player of Lewis-Skelly’s calibre would be a significant blow to Arsenal’s long-term planning, making retention a key priority for the club’s hierarchy.

    Both United and Chelsea have been actively targeting young British talent as part of wider squad rebuilding projects heading into the second half of the 2025-26 season.

    The pursuit of Lewis-Skelly reflects a broader trend of top clubs competing fiercely to secure the signatures of England’s most promising young footballers.

    Arsenal are expected to do everything within their power to ensure Lewis-Skelly remains at the Emirates and continues his upward trajectory at the club.

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    James Brooks is a sub-editor and features writer at Football Express News. James primarily covers transfer news, match previews, and statistical reports.