{"id":46888,"date":"2026-05-07T22:48:05","date_gmt":"2026-05-08T02:48:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/05\/07\/arsenal-begin-negotiations-on-39m-phenomenon-contract\/"},"modified":"2026-05-07T22:48:05","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T02:48:05","slug":"arsenal-begin-negotiations-on-39m-phenomenon-contract","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/05\/07\/arsenal-begin-negotiations-on-39m-phenomenon-contract\/","title":{"rendered":"Arsenal begin negotiations on \u00a339m &#8216;phenomenon&#8217; contract"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/05\/07\/arsenal-begin-negotiations-on-39m-phenomenon-contract\/#How_Lewis_Skelly_became_Arsenals_key_again\" >How Lewis Skelly became Arsenal&#8217;s key again<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/05\/07\/arsenal-begin-negotiations-on-39m-phenomenon-contract\/#Arsenal_could_accept_60m_bid_for_new_Bukayo_Saka\" >Arsenal could accept \u00a360m bid for new Bukayo Saka<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/05\/07\/arsenal-begin-negotiations-on-39m-phenomenon-contract\/#Arsenals_next_signing_could_hinder_Louis_Skelly\" >Arsenal&#8217;s next signing could hinder Louis Skelly<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/05\/07\/arsenal-begin-negotiations-on-39m-phenomenon-contract\/#He_was_a_monster_against_Atleti_Arsenal_seem_to_have_found_their_new_Saka\" >He was a monster against Atleti: Arsenal seem to have found their new Saka<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<div>\n<p>Budapest awaits Arsenal, who reached the Champions League final after winning the battle of the dark arts against Atletico Madrid and Diego Simeone on Tuesday.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<p>The Gunners have gone from a team spiraling out of control in the title race to one on track to achieve a sensational double.<\/p>\n<p>    Thierry Henry says it&#8217;s been 20 years since his Arsenal team became an &#8220;invincible team&#8221; and now is the chance for Mikel Arteta&#8217;s side to become &#8220;an unforgettable team&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>That&#8217;s what it means, and what it could mean for a reborn Miles Lewis Skelly.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-lewis-skelly-became-key-for-arsenal-again\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Lewis_Skelly_became_Arsenals_key_again\"><\/span>\n                        <strong>How Lewis Skelly became Arsenal&#8217;s key again<\/strong><br \/>\n               <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>It&#8217;s no coincidence that Arsenal&#8217;s front line has looked more dangerous since Lewis-Skelly&#8217;s return. Almost as the buzzer sounded, Arteta slotted the Hale End graduate into his natural midfield role and unleashed what could be his best shot.<\/p>\n<p>This gave them an impressive title advantage against Fulham, and they then overpowered a tough Atletico Madrid side.<\/p>\n<p>Patience is truly a virtue as far as Lewis Skelly is concerned. For a while, it looked like the 19-year-old was doomed to lose confidence, get off to an expensive start and be eliminated in north London.<\/p>\n<p>Alas, between these two games he unexpectedly became important at the most important times.<\/p>\n<div class=\"table-container\">\n<table border=\"1\" cellpadding=\"1\" cellspacing=\"1\" style=\"\" align=\"\" summary=\"\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th colspan=\"2\" scope=\"col\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Lewis Skelly vs Fulham &#038; Atletico<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>minutes<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>152<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>successful duel<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>9\/17<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>An opportunity has arisen<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>2<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>collect<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>6<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>advance to the final third<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>9<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<p>The most impressive part of his performance was his third and final pass. That&#8217;s why Bukayo Saka looks more dangerous and why Victor Gokeres looks better than ever in an Arsenal shirt.<\/p>\n<p>They provided an outlet and Lewis Skelly often provided the first pass to initiate free attacking movements. It was incredibly refreshing.<\/p>\n<p>The true background to Arsenal&#8217;s struggles in this department can be summed up by Martin Odegaard.<\/p>\n<div class=\"display-card  article article-card small  no-badge  active-content                              \" data-include-community-rating=\"false\" id=\"arsenal-could-see-bid-accepted-to-sign-new-bukayo-saka-rafael-leao\" data-nosnippet=\"\">\n<p>                        <\/p>\n<p>                    <span data-field=\"label\" class=\"article-card-label\"><label>related<\/label><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"w-display-card-content regular article-block\">\n<h5 class=\"display-card-title \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Arsenal_could_accept_60m_bid_for_new_Bukayo_Saka\"><\/span>\n<p>\t\t\tArsenal could accept \u00a360m bid for new Bukayo Saka<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<p class=\"display-card-excerpt\">Arsenal are looking to sign a new wide player in the summer transfer window.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Compared to the teenage star, the captain won just three of his last two Premier League starts against Newcastle United and Manchester City, despite completing 11 final third passes.<\/p>\n<p>Lewis-Skelly does the latter very well without sacrificing dueling success, but even that may not be enough for Andrea Berta.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"arsenal-39-s-next-signing-could-now-hamper-lewis-skelly\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Arsenals_next_signing_could_hinder_Louis_Skelly\"><\/span>\n                        <strong>Arsenal&#8217;s next signing could hinder Louis Skelly<\/strong><br \/>\n               <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Like all great sports directors, Berta rarely rests. Even on Tuesday, he was literally on fire at the Emirates. There will be a focus on reinforcements come summer, which could mean bringing in a new midfielder.<\/p>\n<p>    According to Brazil&#8217;s Globo Esporte, manager Berta has contacted the player&#8217;s agent and has begun negotiations to sign Danilo, who will move from Botafogo to Arsenal this summer.<\/p>\n<p>The Gunners appear to be in a position to attack, although reports state that formal negotiations with the Brazilian side have not yet begun.<\/p>\n<p>The Brazilian midfielder, who left Nottingham Forest to return to his home country last summer, has become a &#8220;mega phenomenon&#8221; in the eyes of some South American experts, scoring 10 goals in 22 games from midfield. As a result, he could end up returning to the Premier League. However, this immediately halted Lewis Skelly&#8217;s development.<\/p>\n<p>Instead of spending an estimated \u00a339m on signing Danilo, the Gunners could save money and focus on the teenager developing into a mainstay in their midfield.<\/p>\n<p>After all, Arteta has seen enough to be handed the keys to the kingdom at the most crucial stage of the season. It would be unreasonable to throw it away.<\/p>\n<p>Of course, that&#8217;s not to say Danilo doesn&#8217;t have his own qualities. A left-footed number eight with great athleticism, similar to Lewis Skelly, he particularly impressed in the 2023-24 season at the City Ground, scoring and assisting four goals that season, averaging 2.4 tackles and interceptions per game.<\/p>\n<p>Former Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper once described the midfielder as an &#8220;exciting prospect&#8221; and his arrival would only potentially damage Lewis-Skelly&#8217;s hopes of securing a midfield spot.<\/p>\n<p>    Berta should therefore rest knowing that a midfield solution may be much closer than he thinks. This solution gave Gokeres a boost and prevented Atl\u00e9tico from advancing to Budapest.<\/p>\n<div class=\"display-card  article article-card small  no-badge  active-content                              \" data-include-community-rating=\"false\" id=\"a-monster-vs-atletico-arsenal-found-another-saka-lewis-skelly\" data-nosnippet=\"\">\n<p>                        <img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"440\" height=\"248\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Bukayo-Saka-Arsenal-Champions League\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.footballfancastimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/bukayo-saka-arsenal-champions-league.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=220&amp;h=124&amp;dpr=2\" src=\"https:\/\/static0.footballfancastimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/bukayo-saka-arsenal-champions-league.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=220&amp;h=124&amp;dpr=2\"\/><\/p>\n<p>                    <span data-field=\"label\" class=\"article-card-label\"><label>related<\/label><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"w-display-card-content regular article-block\">\n<h5 class=\"display-card-title \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"He_was_a_monster_against_Atleti_Arsenal_seem_to_have_found_their_new_Saka\"><\/span>\n<p>\t\t\tHe was a monster against Atleti: Arsenal seem to have found their new Saka<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<p class=\"display-card-excerpt\">Arsenal qualified for the Champions League final for the first time in 20 years.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Budapest awaits Arsenal, who reached the Champions League final after winning the battle of the dark arts against Atletico Madrid and Diego Simeone on Tuesday. The Gunners have gone from a team spiraling out of control in the title race to one on track to achieve a sensational double. Thierry Henry says it&#8217;s been 20 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":46889,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[8375,44,876,40,382,2570],"class_list":{"0":"post-46888","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-football","8":"tag-39m","9":"tag-arsenal","10":"tag-contract","11":"tag-football","12":"tag-negotiations","13":"tag-phenomenon"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46888","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=46888"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46888\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/46889"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=46888"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=46888"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=46888"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}