Myles Lewis-Skelly set for Arsenal reprieve as Inter Milan chiefs jet in for Riccardo Calafiori mission
Myles Lewis-Skelly’s future at Arsenal could be about to be saved in unlikely circumstances ahead of this summer’s transfer window.
The left-back has been starved of football this season having fallen below the duo of Piero Hincapie and Riccardo Calafiori in the pecking order, and he has been increasingly linked with an exit as a result.
However, that could be about to change in the coming weeks, with Inter Milan taking an interest in the idea of prising Calafiori away from the Emirates Stadium before the start of next season.
The 23-year-old has been away from Italy since he swapped Bologna for North London in the summer of 2024, but that could soon be about to change as Cristian Chivu’s side begin their summer work.
Arsenal’s transfer plans had seemingly involved a move to try and get Lewis-Skelly out of the door, but that may now be thrown firmly up in the air.
🔄 Arsenal Transfer Update 🔄
Breaking news on deals in progress, signings, departures, and contract news from the Emirates boardroom.
VISIT THE ARSENAL TRANSFER HUBInter in London for Riccardo Calafiori check
Calafiori has been a useful player for Mikel Arteta since he came to England, due to the fact that he is capable of playing either at left-back, or in the centre of defence.
However, he too has found himself playing second fiddle to Hincapie in recent weeks, who is set to join the Gunners permanently upon the expiry of his loan deal from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer.
| Stats | Hincapie | Calafiori | Lewis-Skelly |
| Apps (Starts) | 21 (17) | 22 (18) | 14 (1) |
| Goal Involvements | 3 | 3 | – |
| Chances Created per 90 | 0.72 | 0.31 | 0.87 |
| Successful Passes per 90 | 39.6 | 34.5 | 42.7 |
| Successful Dribbles per 90 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 1.44 |
| Tackles per 90 | 2.33 | 1.92 | 1.15 |
| Duels Won per 90 | 5.09 | 5.69 | 4.62 |
Calafiori has emerged as a key transfer target for Inter of late, with the San Siro giants trying to line up potential solutions for if they lose star defender Alessandro Bastoni ahead of next term.
Their sporting director Piero Ausilio and his deputy Dario Baccin have now flown out to London on a mission to watch some of their transfer targets, according to L’Interista.
Both Calafiori and Tottenham goalkeeper Gugliemo Vicario are two of the main subjects of their trip, and it is noted that a deal for the Gunners man is “not unrealisable” at the moment.
Arsenal are said to value the defender in the region of the £43million mark (€50m), while he remains under contract until the summer of 2029.
What does this mean for Myles Lewis-Skelly’s Arsenal future?
Football Insider revealed earlier this month that Arsenal are increasingly keen to let Lewis-Skelly leave on loan this summer, in order to ensure that he can get regular Premier League football.
This is also a scenario that England manager Thomas Tuchel is likely to be keen to see play out, given that he hasn’t selected him in many of his recent squads.
Everton were heavily linked with a move for the youngster during the January window, and while they were unable to get a deal over the line on that occasion, it could be a different story for them this time around.
However, with Calafiori’s future having now been cast into doubt, the door will surely not be opened for Lewis-Skelly to leave, as Arteta will want at least two left-backs that he can trust to perform for next term.
With that in mind, the starlet could be about to earn himself an unlikely reprieve at the Emirates, for a somewhat unexpected reason.
💰 ARSENAL INSIDER UPDATE 💰
Inside the transfer budget, player wages, new kits, off-pitch deals and boardroom developments at Emirates Stadium.
Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the Emirates Stadium.