Arsenal legend Ian Wright has expressed unease over the club's transfer dealings after reports emerged suggesting young defender Myles Lewis-Skelly had been offered to both Chelsea and Manchester United by intermediaries. The claims, first reported by Standard Sport, have raised questions about the future of a player who has been with the Gunners since the age of eight.
Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Wright made clear he did not believe the rumours originated from those closest to Lewis-Skelly. "I don't know where that's coming from because I know for a fact that's not coming from his team," he said. "It's not coming from his mum. Arsenal fans need to chill out with his mum saying that she's touting him about."
Wright pointed out that Lewis-Skelly himself has already made his intentions clear. "Myles has already said he's happy to stay," Wright continued. "Why have Arsenal not just said he's not for sale? He'd be a great signing for Manchester United, of course he would. Look what he's doing."
The former Arsenal striker went further, suggesting the situation reflects a broader issue with how the club conducts its transfer business, particularly regarding the involvement of intermediaries. "There's things happening and this again is what I'm worried about with Arsenal, it's the way we're doing business with intermediaries now," he said. "How's that story happening when we know for a fact they're happening and want to stay and are happy."
Wright also referenced fellow academy graduate Gabriel Martinelli, claiming similar rumours have circulated about him without any direct contact from interested clubs. "Martinelli has not been contacted by anybody at the club but has been touted about everywhere," he said. "Who is doing that? Why is that happening?"
Beyond the immediate transfer speculation, Wright touched on a deeper issue facing homegrown talents at Arsenal — the financial pressures that can make selling academy products an attractive option for the club, regardless of a player's form or wishes. "The unfortunate thing you get when you've got a player who comes through the academy and breaks into the first team and does what they do, you've always got that noose of pure profit on them," he explained.
Wright noted that Lewis-Skelly's rising profile only heightens the risk of interest from elite clubs. "When you've got someone like Myles who is playing well, it's unbelievable what he's capable of doing then of course Manchester United will see if something can happen," he said, drawing comparisons to how other clubs have successfully pursued players despite their contentment at their current teams. "They've seen Guimaraes come in; they've seen Declan Rice."
Ultimately, Wright's frustration centres on Arsenal's silence amid the swirling speculation, especially given his understanding that Lewis-Skelly wants to remain at the club. "He doesn't want to leave and that's the thing that's really baffling me is why Arsenal don't just come in and say he's not for sale," he concluded.
The comments add to growing scrutiny of Arsenal's transfer strategy as they look to protect the futures of their most promising academy talents amid persistent external interest.
Based on reporting from Standard Sport.