Manchester City are reportedly set to pip Arsenal to the signing of Leicester City's teenage attacker Jeremy Monga. The 16-year-old has featured in both the Premier League and Championship, and the Gunners had been pushing to secure his signature.
Deal Valuation and Arsenal's Decision
Colleagues at football.london understand a deal between £10 million and £15 million has been discussed. Consideration was given to whether a season in League One would benefit the teenager's development more than another year in academy football. However, that move now looks off, with BBC Sport reporting that City have entered the race. Enquiries have been made in recent days, and The Athletic reports that Arsenal dropped out due to the valuation being too high.
Monga's Rise to Prominence
Monga made his Premier League debut in the 2024/25 season for Leicester as a 15-year-old, making seven league appearances between April and the end of the season. The Foxes managed to fend off interest from clubs last summer despite their relegation to the Championship. Monga signed an academy scholarship when he turned 16.
That deal is due to turn professional this summer on his 17th birthday (July 10). While a fee with Leicester could be agreed, a tribunal may decide if whichever club signs him has paid a fair price for the youngster.
Record-Breaking Feats
Monga became the second-youngest player to make a Premier League appearance at 15 years, eight months and 28 days old, when he came off the bench in a 3-0 defeat against Newcastle United on April 7, 2025. He has since been knocked into third place by Arsenal’s Max Dowman. During the 2025/26 campaign, Monga made 30 appearances in all competitions and became the Championship’s youngest-ever goalscorer when netting against Preston North End in August. He has also represented England's Under-18 side, scoring the decisive goal in a 2-1 win over Greece Under-19s and getting on the scoresheet in a 6-1 victory over Cyprus.
Arsenal's Youth Strategy and City's Moves
Arsenal aim to improve their roster of young talent. Dowman and Myles Lewis-Skelly have been successes from the academy, but the Premier League-winning side also included William Saliba, who joined at 18. The Gunners have already agreed to sign Victor Ozhianvuna, who will join in the January transfer window next season. Meanwhile, City announced on Thursday an agreement with Nottingham Forest for Elliot Anderson. The Blues struck a deal with the East Midlands club last month, and the midfielder received FA permission for a medical in New York last week. The England star will become a club-record arrival for City, paying a straight fee of £116 million to land the 23-year-old. Anderson will sign a five-year contract at the Etihad, adding depth and quality in midfield following Bernardo Silva's departure.
