ARSENAL have tied Real Madrid target Myles Lewis-Skelly down to a bumper new deal.
The teenager has agreed terms for a five-year extension as the Gunners try to ward off interest from Real and other clubs in their breakout star of last season.
GettyMyles Lewis-Skelly put pen to paper on a new five-year contract at Arsenal[/caption]
GettyThe youngster becomes one of the highest-paid teenagers in world football[/caption]
Lewis-Skelly, 18, had only a year left on his previous £4,000-a-week contract.
But Arsenal have moved decisively to keep hold of the latest product of their Hale End Academy and give him a significant salary rise which will make him one of the highest-paid teenagers in the world.
Lewis-Skelly, whose mum Marcia negotiated the deal, said: “I’m so proud and happy. I know those words are simple, but I think they sum up how I feel signing for this club.
“I’m a fan and it’s like a dream come true.
“I’ve embodied the values of Hale End and come through.
“I’ve still got a lot of years ahead of me, so if I can keep staying humble and being a good person, that’s the most important thing to me.
“I know I’ve taken a lot of experience from the games about the positive moments, the mistakes that I’ve made. I’m definitely more ready now for the next season. I just want to keep learning and keep improving.
“I want a legacy. I want to win everything there is to win in the game. I want to win trophies on the biggest stages whilst being a person that’s always learning and stays grounded, which is so important.”
Join SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plus
in-depth coverage and exclusives from The Emirates
Lewis-Skelly was the biggest success story of Arsenal’s 2024-25 campaign.
Although he had played mainly as a midfielder in the Gunners’ youth teams, boss Mikel Arteta turned to him to play left-back after injuries hit his defence.
ARSENAL TRANSFER NEWS LIVE: All the latest rumours from the Emirates
And Lewis-Skelly did so well that he made the position his own and earned a call-up to the senior England squad as Real Madrid expressed interest.
Lewis-Skelly became the youngest player to score on his Three Lions debut when he found the net against Albania in March’s World Cup qualifier.
GettyAndrea Berta was on hand for photos at the Emirates[/caption]
GettyLewis-Skelly impressed at left-back, including against Real Madrid[/caption]
RexThe youngster showed plenty of character – including with his famous Erling Haaland celebration[/caption]
PAHis fine form earned him his England debut[/caption]
Inside Arsenal’s frustrating striker transfer saga
By Jordan Davies
ARSENAL’S never-ending hunt for a world-class striker is in turmoil as deals for Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres stall.
The Gunners were confident of doing their business quickly this summer after months of preparation by boss Mikel Arteta and new sporting director Andrea Berta.
But inflated asking prices and broken gentlemen’s agreements have derailed those plans and left Arsenal frustrated.
Sesko believed he would be allowed to leave RB Leipzig for around £60million, while SunSport understands Gyokeres was told £59m would be enough to seal his own exit.
But those price-tags have gone up, leaving Arsenal debating whether they represent value for money.
While the players’ camps are also growing restless, knowing the Gunners can only sign one of them.
So what next? Will Arsenal keep waiting in the hope of fees eventually going down? Or turn to other targets, like Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike?
Whatever they decide, with pre-season looming and the fixtures already out, Arteta will be desperate for them to move quickly to avoid another nearly season.
