Arsenal are flying high on the pitch, but behind the scenes the summer chess game is already in full swing, with Manchester United reportedly eyeing a swoop for Myles Lewis Skelly and David Raya lifting the lid on how close he came to joining Bayern Munich instead of the Gunners.
Mikel Arteta’s side are riding the crest of a wave domestically and in Europe, but football never stops. And while the Spaniard splashed around £250million last summer, this time it’s expected to be a quieter affair.
Sandro Tonali links persist. But with midfield and defence already well stocked, the bigger story might be who leaves rather than who arrives.
Enter Manchester United.
Man Utd Eye Lewis Skelly
The Red Devils are reportedly weighing up an ambitious move for Arsenal left back Myles Lewis Skelly. The 19 year old has found himself on the fringes this season, stuck behind Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie in the pecking order.
He hasn’t featured since the FA Cup fourth round win over Wigan last month. His last Premier League appearance came way back in early January. It’s a sharp drop off for a player who, after breaking through last term, looked destined to nail down a spot for both club and country.
Opportunities have dried up. And with that comes uncertainty.
United, meanwhile, are desperate for left back cover. Luke Shaw’s injury woes show no sign of easing, and Tyrell Malacia is expected to move on. Lewis Skelly is understood to be one of four names on a shortlist as Michael Carrick looks to reshape his squad at Old Trafford.
Whether Arsenal would sell to a direct rival is another matter entirely. But with first team football currently hard to come by, the youngster may find the prospect tempting.
Bayern Interest in Raya
David Raya has revealed Bayern Munich tried to pinch him before he ever pulled on an Arsenal shirt.
The Spaniard joined from Brentford on an initial loan in 2023, with the permanent £30million deal rubber stamped a year later. But before that was finalised, the Bundesliga giants made a serious push to take him to the Allianz Arena.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Raya admitted he came “very close” to joining Bayern who were exploring a similar loan to buy arrangement before Arsenal stepped in.
“I was very close to going to another club,” he said. “Obviously everything happened with Arsenal, but I was very, very close to going to another club.
“But luckily that didn’t happen and Arsenal in the end made the bid and I came here. Yeah, it was Bayern Munich.”
He added: “It was the best choice I’ve made, to come to this club.”
It’s hard to argue. Raya has established himself as one of the Premier League’s most reliable goalkeepers, his consistency over the past three seasons earning him a reputation as one of Europe’s finest.
For Bayern, it was a near miss. For Arsenal, it was a bullet dodged.
What Now?
With the business end of the season approaching, Arteta will want his squad focused on the here and now. But the noise around Lewis Skelly won’t go away quietly especially if United come calling with a serious offer.
And if Raya’s revelation tells us anything, it’s that Arsenal’s recruitment in recent years has been about fine margins. One decision here, a twist of fate there, and the whole picture changes.
For now, the Gunners are in a strong position. But summer has a habit of bringing surprises and Old Trafford is circling.
