Arsenal Nearing Agreement for Jeremy Monga
Arsenal are closing in on a deal for Leicester City wonderkid Jeremy Monga, with an agreement worth over £10 million expected to be reached. Standard Sport understands that the Gunners have made significant progress in lengthy transfer negotiations for the 16-year-old winger.
Monga will be able to sign a professional contract with Arsenal when he turns 17 on July 10. He is set to join the Premier League champions for pre-season this summer, where manager Mikel Arteta will assess him before a decision is made on his immediate future. It is possible that Monga could depart on loan next season, as first-team opportunities may be limited, especially with Arteta planning another marquee attacking signing.
Who is Jeremy Monga?
Monga broke into the Leicester first-team picture during the 2024-25 season, making his debut as a 15-year-old in a 3-0 defeat by Newcastle at the King Power Stadium. His 17-minute cameo made him the second-youngest player ever to play in the Premier League, behind Arsenal's Ethan Nwaneri.
"You could see glimpses of his great qualities," said Ruud van Nistelrooy, who was Monga's manager in April 2025. "He's a great winger and has speed. He's a fantastic talent, a great boy. He deserved these minutes and hopefully, more to come."
Rapid Rise and Future Prospects
Last season, Monga accumulated over 1,000 minutes of senior football across all competitions, scoring once and providing two assists in 30 appearances. Despite Leicester's relegation to League One and Monga signing a professional contract with the Foxes (effective when he turns 17 in July), the youngster is expected to move on during the summer transfer window.
The transfer could have gone to a tribunal to determine a fee if the two clubs were unable to reach an agreement. Arteta is reportedly a long-time admirer of Monga, who is widely regarded as one of England's fastest-rising talents.
Playing Style and Comparisons
Monga is a winger comfortable with both feet, primarily playing on the right-hand side but capable of operating from the left or as a No.10. Described as a natural trickster with speed and silkiness on the ball, he has drawn comparisons to England Under-16s team-mate Max Dowman and Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku.
Monga aligns with Arsenal's recent aggressive youth recruitment drive, having signed talents like Jaden Dixon, Evan Mooney, and Ecuadorian twins Holger and Edwin Quintero in the past year. He would be a smart long-term addition for the Gunners.
