Manchester City are preparing a move to sign Leicester City winger Jeremy Monga, potentially derailing Arsenal’s pursuit of the 16-year-old, according to a report by the BBC. The Gunners had been in advanced discussions with Leicester for several weeks and believed they were leading the race for Monga’s signature.
Monga has already agreed to sign his first professional contract with Leicester on his 17th birthday, July 10th, meaning any deal will require a transfer fee to be negotiated with the Championship club. Arsenal have reportedly been in negotiations over a fee of approximately £10 million (€11.7m), but an agreement has yet to be reached, opening the door for City’s intervention.
The renewed interest from Manchester City is reportedly driven by their new manager, Enzo Maresca, who previously worked with Monga during his tenure at Leicester during the 2023/24 season. Maresca is believed to have impressed Monga with his vision for the player’s development.
Monga established himself as a promising talent during the recent season, making 27 league appearances for Leicester despite their relegation from the Championship. He scored one goal and provided two assists, demonstrating his potential as an attacking threat. The winger became the second-youngest player in Premier League history when he debuted for Leicester in April 2025, at 15 years and 271 days old.
He further cemented his status as a rising star by becoming the youngest goalscorer in Championship history, netting against Preston in August 2025 at the age of 16 and 37 days. Monga’s performances have also earned him regular call-ups to the England under-19s squad. Several other clubs, including Real Madrid, Chelsea, and Brentford, have also expressed interest in the young player, highlighting his growing reputation within European football. The outcome of this transfer battle could significantly impact both Arsenal and Manchester City’s future attacking options.
