Myles Lewis-Skelly: A Bargain for Manchester United and Chelsea

Rio Ferdinand has urged Manchester United and Chelsea to move fast and throw serious money at Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly, insisting the teenager is a bargain waiting to be snapped up.

According to reports, Arsenal have offered the 19-year-old England international to both clubs this summer after a season in which he forced his way into Mikel Arteta’s plans and helped deliver the Premier League title.

Arsenal’s surprise seller

Lewis-Skelly’s campaign did not start like that of a title catalyst. He had to wait, watching on during a frustrating opening to 2025-26 before finally breaking into the side during the run-in.

Once in, he stayed in.

The midfielder played a crucial role as Arsenal surged to the league crown and reached the Champions League final, his versatility and composure marking him out as one of the most exciting young players in the division.

Yet despite his rise, Arsenal are prepared to listen to offers. The picture shifted when the club closed a £75 million deal for Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle, crowding an already competitive midfield and opening the door for a major sale.

That is where Ferdinand believes United – and Chelsea – must pounce.

‘Press the green button’

Speaking on his YouTube channel, the former United defender made it clear he sees Lewis-Skelly as a must-buy at the right price, urging his old club not to hesitate.

"If I’m Manchester United right now I say press the green button and buy him, take him, right now," Ferdinand said. "What a player, a top player. He was a massive part of the team when he was brought in towards the end of the season. He contributed to Arsenal winning the league, he was brilliant and came in and produced.

"If he’s on the market and he’s a good price you have to take him. The good price I’m saying is £60m or £70m. If that’s the case, get the chequebook out, slap it down and sign him. No questions asked, I would take him."

For Ferdinand, that fee would represent excellent value for a player who can already influence title races and still has years of development ahead.

The left-back solution United are missing

The attraction is not just what Lewis-Skelly offers in midfield.

Ferdinand pointed to his ability to operate at left-back as a major tactical plus, particularly for United. Luke Shaw enjoyed a rare, largely injury-free season and played heavily, but behind him the options are patched together rather than natural.

Patrick Dorgu, Ferdinand noted, is now viewed more as a left-winger. Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot can fill in but are not specialist left-backs. One Shaw injury, and the squad looks thin.

"He’s young, a huge talent, can play in two positions and I think mentally he’s made of the right stuff," Ferdinand explained. "The left-back position at Manchester United is not a problem because we’ve got Luke Shaw who played a lot of games last season and stayed fit.

"But if he does get injured we haven’t got a natural left-back sitting there. Dorgu is more of a left-winger now and Mazraoui and Dalot aren’t full left-backs. So that’s an area I think you can bring in someone like Myles Lewis-Skelly and he can play man, definitely."

For any coach trying to juggle injuries, fixture congestion and tactical tweaks, a player who can switch seamlessly between midfield and full-back is gold.

A rising career at a crossroads

Lewis-Skelly has already packed plenty into the early stages of his senior career. Since making his first-team debut for his boyhood club in 2024, he has racked up 75 appearances for Arsenal, enough to catch the eye not only domestically but on the international stage.

His form earned him six caps for England, a rapid rise that underlined his reputation, even if Thomas Tuchel chose to leave him out of the most recent World Cup squad.

Now, with Bruno Guimaraes through the door and Arsenal open to selling, the next move is out of North London’s hands. It sits with the clubs circling.

United have a glaring squad need and a vocal former captain telling them to act. Chelsea, always alert to elite young talent, have also been offered the chance to step in.

A concrete bid from Old Trafford or Stamford Bridge would keep one of England’s brightest young prospects in the Premier League. The only question left is who is willing to slam that chequebook down first.