Arsenal transfer news: Fabrizio Romano reveals ‘message’ from Myles Lewis-Skelly about joining Chelsea: ‘I can guarantee’

Fabrizio Romano has revealed the message given to him by Myles Lewis-Skelly’s camp regarding his departure from Arsenal in the January transfer window and arrival at Chelsea to work under manager Enzo Maresca, as TEAMtalk reveals why the Blues are keen on the teenage left-back.

Chelsea have raided their Premier League rivals for top young talent in recent years, with Cole Palmer (Manchester City), Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United) and Moises Caicedo (Brighton and Hove Albion) being three prime examples. It is now almost a given that any emerging talent will be on Chelsea’s radar, and Lewis-Skelly falls into that category.

There have been reports in the English media that Chelsea are keen on Lewis-Skelly, with last season’s Conference League winners carrying out ‘background checks’ on the left-back.

Lewis-Skelly has not made a single Premier League start for Arsenal so far this season, and Chelsea are reportedly planning a raid for the left-back in the January transfer window.

Transfer Guru Fabrizio Romano reported last month that Arsenal had no plans to offload Lewis-Skelly midway through the season.

The transfer insider reiterated that claim on Monday evening and also revealed that the 19-year-old England international left-back himself has no plans to cross the London divide any time soon.

Romano spoke about Lewis-Skelly on his YouTube channel: “There are always rumors about Lewis-Skelly.

“During the international break, rumors of a loan move, maybe Crystal Palace, maybe West Ham, going to play, World Cup – no chance. Arsenal don’t want Lewis-Skelly to leave.

“And there are rumors about Chelsea. Today in England, rumors that Chelsea are considering a permanent transfer proposal for Myles Lewis-Skelly.

“Forget it. Lewis-Skelly is Arsenal. Arsenal are very happy with Lewis-Skelly, and they have no plans to part ways. Lewis-Skelly is seen as a really, really, really important part of the team – highly valued by Arsenal.

“I don’t know if these rumors keep coming up about Lewis-Skelly, but he is part of the project. He won’t leave in January. Arsenal want to keep the player and trust him. That’s the message I’m getting today, both from the players’ side and from the club side.

“So when this will happen in the next few years, I don’t know, but, as of today, I can guarantee 100% that all these stories are not true.

“The interest in Lewis-Skelly, guys, is normal. Who doesn’t appreciate that kind of fantastic talent, but there’s nothing really concrete, because for Arsenal. He’s a really, really important player.

“So it’s important to clarify, and Arsenal won’t be stupid to wait until January and maybe lose a player. They compete to be at the top in all competitions, and then maybe you lose an important player.”

READ NEXT Record-breaking Arsenal star ‘the perfect signing’ for Real Madrid as Florentino Perez ‘ramps up interest’ – shock report

Why Chelsea think Lewis-Skelly transfer is possible – sources

TEAMtalk transfer insider Dean Jones reported on November 25 that Arsenal did not want to sell Lewis-Skelly to Chelsea.

We can also reveal what makes Chelsea think they have a chance of convincing the 19-year-old to switch clubs.

Although the youngster has made three Champions League starts, he is not the first-choice left-back at Arsenal and has only played 133 minutes in the Premier League for Mikel Arteta’s side so far this season.

Jones told TEAMtalk: “One thing that is becoming quite clear is that Chelsea are puzzled by his lack of playing time, however.

“We’ve seen how they take their chances with players when they feel they might be frustrated. This could be one of those cases.

“There’s no way Arsenal will let him join Chelsea in the middle of this season, but at a time when Chelsea are starting to look at new defensive options, I’m told they have him among the players on their list.”

Jones commented on Arsenal’s stance: “I don’t think they see too much benefit in loaning him out during a season where they are aiming for the title.

“You want players who can help you in a crisis, help you deal with difficult times, and he understands exactly what Arteta has tried to achieve.

“He knows the role, the style, and we continue to talk about him as a long-term player.

“Don’t forget that there has been a lot of interest in him in the past. Real Madrid have even scouted him at times.

“I think his goal was just to become a regular player at Arsenal first and that comes with its own challenges when the team is working towards something so big this season.”

Latest Arsenal transfer news: Bayern Munich raid, Rodrigo Mendoza update

Meanwhile, sources have told TEAMtalk transfer correspondent Fraser Fletcher that Arsenal are planning an ambitious raid on Bayern Munich for a world-class winger.

TEAMtalk also understands that Arsenal want a Bundesliga sensation, but there is competition from Manchester United.

And finally, Fabrizio Romano brought the latest news on Arsenal’s quest to sign Rodri Mendoza from Elche – a story our transfer insider Fraser Fletcher first reported exclusively.