Ian Wright has expressed concern about Arsenal's transfer strategy following reports that Myles Lewis-Skelly could leave the club this summer. The Gunners legend questioned why the club has not publicly stated the player is not for sale.
Standard Sport reported last week that intermediaries had offered the 18-year-old to Chelsea and Manchester United, casting doubt over his future at the Emirates. Lewis-Skelly has been at Arsenal since the age of eight.
Wright questions Arsenal's silence
Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Wright said he was worried about the club's dealings with intermediaries. “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.”
“Myles has already said he’s happy to say. 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.”
Despite the rumours, no concrete interest from other clubs has emerged, and Lewis-Skelly has impressed in recent performances against Manchester City and Como, suggesting he is prepared to stay and fight for his place.
Pure profit pressure on academy stars
Wright also pointed to the financial pressures that can force clubs to sell homegrown players for pure profit. “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 said.
“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 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.”
