Journo: Man Utd ‘laying the groundwork’ for seismic summer move for ‘special’ Arsenal first-team star | OneFootball

Manchester United have reportedly begun ‘laying the groundwork’ for a shock summer pursuit of Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly.

According to TeamTalk journalist Graeme Bailey, the Red Devils have set their sights on the youngster to rival Luke Shaw at left-back next season.

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Why United are targeting Lewis-Skelly

The options in the position are set to be reduced this summer due to Tyrell Malacia leaving on a free when his contract expires in June.

Additionally, Patrick Dorgu has enjoyed his most eye-catching form when operating as an attacker, rather than being restricted to a defensive shift.

Meanwhile, the Gunners are said to be ‘bracing for a summer of change’, which is likely to see Lewis-Skelly sold. The player himself is thought to be open to a move to secure increased game time elsewhere, having fallen out of favour under Mikel Arteta this term.

How Lewis-Skelly is faring this season

After breaking onto the scene last campaign, the ‘special’ Hale End graduate was initially utilised a number of times off the bench before cementing a starting spot in the closing stages of the season.

By the end of 2024/2025, Lewis-Skelly had started 15 Premier League matches and featured another eight times as a substitute.

However, the addition of Piero Hincapie and the impressive form of Riccardo Calafiori have seen the 19-year-old fall in the pecking order this time around; he has started just once in the league throughout 2026/2027, played 13 times as a substitute and been an unused option for a whopping 16 games, totalling only 312 minutes of action.

(Lewis-Skelly’s record in the league)

Arteta has called upon Lewis-Skelly more in the Champions League, where the player has started six of their 10 matches played, albeit he was granted a single minute across both legs of Arsenal’s last-16 ties against Bayer Leverkusen.

After signing a long-term bumper deal at the Emirates last year, Lewis-Skelly is tied to the club until 2030.

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