Manchester City are poised to sign Jeremy Monga, a 16-year-old winger from Leicester City, in a move that will see them beat Arsenal to the player’s signature. Both the BBC and Fabrizio Romano report that negotiations are underway, with City actively working to finalise a deal that Arsenal previously believed was complete.
Arsenal had been confident of securing Monga, having reportedly agreed terms for a transfer in the region of £10m-£15m in late June. The Gunners were understood to have overcome competition from several other top clubs, including Chelsea and Manchester United, with Monga initially favouring a move to the Emirates Stadium. However, City’s late intervention, spearheaded by new manager Enzo Maresca, has turned the situation on its head.
Maresca’s existing relationship with Monga, stemming from his time at Leicester City, is a key factor in the winger’s potential change of heart. The City manager is believed to be presenting a compelling project to the teenager, tempting him with a clear pathway to first-team opportunities. Monga, who will turn 17 this month, has already made 37 appearances for Leicester, becoming the third-youngest player to feature in a Premier League match, behind only Max Dowman and Ethan Nwaneri of Arsenal.
Leicester are expected to demand a minimum of £10m for Monga, as he is about to sign a professional contract on July 10th following the completion of a one-year scholarship. The swiftness of City’s approach has caught Arsenal off guard, derailing the progress they had made in securing the highly-rated prospect. David Ornstein of The Athletic confirms that City are ‘pushing hard’ to complete the transfer. This move represents a setback for Arsenal’s recruitment plans, while bolstering City’s options in wide areas for the future.
