'Hang on, I want a pathway' - Myles Lewis-Skelly’s Arsenal transfer plan revealed
Myles Lewis-Skelly remains highly unlikely to leave Arsenal before the upcoming 1 September transfer deadline.
That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that the recent “noise” surrounding his future is part of a bid to help consolidate his place in the squad.
This comes after recent reports that the England international has been offered to both Manchester United and Chelsea, following significant reinforcements to the Gunners’ squad.
However, Wyness believes that Lewis-Skelly has little intention of leaving the Emirates Stadium at the moment, and is instead trying to ensure that his minutes are secure.
Mikel Arteta and Co. have plenty of quality options at left-back, and recently added Bruno Guimaraes to a midfield that is already one of the strongest in the Premier League.
Lewis-Skelly covered for Arsenal in both of those positions last term, and Wyness feels that speculation surrounding his future is unfounded.
Myles Lewis-Skelly interest has come from agent
Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that Lewis-Skelly’s “camp” are trying to ensure that he isn’t forgotten about at Arsenal this season.
The Scottish businessman made it clear that he expects the speculation surrounding the 19-year-old’s future to “blow over” in the coming weeks.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness outlined that Lewis-Skelly is still valued incredibly highly at his boyhood club.
“I think it'll blow over; it's noise rather than anything actually happening, but I think it's more noise from the Lewis-Skelly camp saying, hang on, what about us, we want a pathway, we want to understand what we're going to get here,” he said.
“Now as the Arsenal squad strengthens, Mikel has got them really challenging each other in the squad for positions, and you don't want to be selling your young talent so early, but at the same time you've got to give them minutes, and that's going to be the debate.
“I think right now it's more about his advisors saying ‘the noisiest wheel needs some oil’, so let's get him sorted out, make sure the manager understands him and gives him a chance to perform, and then he's got to take his chance.
“I certainly don't think it'll be anything happening this summer that's for sure.”
Lewis-Skelly ‘frustrating’ Arsenal
Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider earlier this week that Arsenal will be finding Lewis-Skelly’s stance “frustrating” at the moment.
He warned that there is often “no smoke without fire” when it comes to exit links of this nature, especially when they have been prevalent across a prolonged period like this.
Brown believes that the player’s plan could easily backfire and cause “tensions” behind the scenes, if Arteta takes it in the wrong way.
The Gunners are doing everything they can to support the defender’s development at the moment, but may feel that their efforts aren’t being received gratefully.