Manchester City are making a strong push to beat Arsenal to the signing of Leicester City winger Jeremy Monga.Newly appointed City manager Enzo Maresca is behind the club’s drive for Monga, having known the 16-year-old from his time as Leicester head coach in the 2023-24 season.The Athletic reported on June 23 that Arsenal were in club-to-club contact over a move for Monga. An agreement had not been reached at the time of reporting, but the situation had advanced to direct negotiations, managed respectfully between all sides, given the England youth attacker’s age.Monga made his Premier League debut aged 15 years and 271 days against Newcastle United in April 2025, and is the third-youngest player to appear in a Premier League match, behind Arsenal’s Max Dowman and Ethan Nwaneri.
Monga made seven substitute appearances at the end of the 2024-25 season as Leicester suffered relegation from the top-flight, and played a further 30 times in the 2025-26 campaign, primarily as a substitute, as his side were relegated to League One.David Ornstein on Arsenal's interest in Bruno GuimaraesDavid OrnsteinThe Athletic reported last year that Monga’s performances for Leicester Under-21s attracted interest from a number of clubs, including Real Madrid, Manchester City and Chelsea.Monga committed to a one-year scholarship deal beginning on July 10 last year, which is set to turn into a professional contract when he turns 17. Agreeing those scholarship terms was significant for Leicester, as it meant a transfer fee would have to be negotiated for a club wishing to sign the teenager, rather than him potentially leaving for a smaller fee.Leicester’s relegation to the third tier of English football came after they were deducted six points for breaching the English Football League’s profitability and sustainability rules (PSR) during the three-year period ending with the 2023-24 season. They will play third-tier football for the first time since 2008-09.Leicester previously had a strong record of retaining their young talent, but have seen promising academy players depart in recent years, including Trey Nyoni to Liverpool and Tyrese Noubissie to Manchester City.Jul 2, 2026Connections: Sports EditionSpot the pattern. Connect the termsFind the hidden link between sports terms
