‘Exceptional’ player will surely stay at Arsenal after what David Ornstein has reported

David Ornstein’s latest transfer update should bring relief for a lot of Arsenal fans.

The Athletic report that Manchester United are closing in on a deal for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba, in a move worth around £60million plus add-ons.

United have been one of the most prominently linked clubs with Myles Lewis-Skelly all summer.

If they complete a deal for Baleba, their midfield need is addressed and surely their interest in Lewis-Skelly effectively ends.

They do still want a left-back though, with Lewis Hall being their top target, but last season’s title run-in proved that Lewis-Skelly’s best position is definitely in midfield.

As for Chelsea, who were also offered Lewis-Skelly through intermediaries last week, they’ve seemed to distance themselves from the situation too.

Their main midfield targets appear to be Adam Wharton and Alex Scott.

Arsenal have to keep Myles Lewis-Skelly

Mikel Arteta described Lewis-Skelly as ‘exceptional’ at the backend of last season, and he will certainly not want to part ways with the 19-year-old.

This is a kid he started in the Champions League final up against Joao Neves and Vitinha.

He is a decade younger than the other midfield options, and the only reliable left-footed option from deep.

We simply cannot let go of him. That said, there is the terrifying thought lingering that Andrea Berta could engineer a swap deal for Pedro Neto, as Arsenal search for attacking reinforcement.

But surely now, with United moving for Baleba and Chelsea looking elsewhere, Lewis-Skelly stays at Arsenal. That should never have been in doubt.