Chelsea given surprising chance to sign second Arsenal star as Xabi Alonso plans exciting double transfer
Chelsea are eager to sign another Arsenal player after Martin Zubimendi, as their new manager Xabi Alonso continues to work hard on bringing in fresh talent. Alonso, who became Chelsea’s boss earlier this summer, has more control over transfers than some managers before him. This is clear from the signings Chelsea have already made.
Alonso personally helped bring in Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson from Brighton and Brentford to add valuable experience to his squad. Marco Palestra, signed for £47 million from Atalanta, also fits Alonso’s preferred three-man defense with wing-backs, as does left wing-back Pep Chavarria, who Chelsea agreed to sign from Rayo Vallecano for £16.3 million plus extras. Their most expensive signing so far is Morgan Rogers, who joined from Aston Villa for a British record £117 million. He will play alongside Cole Palmer as two attacking midfielders in Alonso’s exciting tactics.
All these moves were driven by Alonso, and he is also behind the interest in Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi. Alonso knows Zubimendi well, having coached him at his first job with Real Sociedad B. And Zubimendi isn’t the only Arsenal player Chelsea are eyeing.
According to football.London, Chelsea have been “offered” the chance to sign Arsenal youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly this summer, following the arrival of Bruno Guimaraes. Chelsea are competing for the 19-year-old with Manchester United, who are interested in Lewis-Skelly as a potential rival to Luke Shaw at left-back.
If Arsenal gets a good offer from Chelsea for Lewis-Skelly, they might find it hard to keep him from leaving. Lewis-Skelly came up through Arsenal’s Hale End academy and also spent time at Cobham. Although he signed a contract extension last year, he could still be sold this summer.
He can play as a left-back or central midfielder and has done well in both roles since joining the first team. Last season, he made 10 appearances in the Champions League and has started all pre-season games this year as a defensive midfielder, filling in while Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino, and Guimaraes recover from the World Cup. But when those players return, his chances to start will shrink.
At left-back, Lewis-Skelly faces tough competition from Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie, which is another reason Arsenal are open to letting him go. So, it wouldn’t be surprising if he leaves, but a direct move to Chelsea would be more unexpected. The last player to move straight from Arsenal to Chelsea was Olivier Giroud in 2018, and before him, Ashley Cole’s controversial £5 million transfer in 2006.