Manchester City are pushing hard to sign Leicester City winger Jeremy Monga, with Arsenal’s interest having stalled over valuation.
According to David Ornstein, City and Leicester are in direct contact over a deal worth around £10m, with the move now advanced after Arsenal’s club-to-club contact failed to produce an agreement. Sami Mokbel had earlier reported Arsenal as the frontrunners, but City have since moved ahead in the race.
Enzo Maresca is understood to have played a key role in City’s pursuit. The head coach worked with Monga during his time in charge at Leicester in the 2023-24 season and rates the 16-year-old highly.
Monga has already made history at Leicester, becoming the third-youngest player to appear in the Premier League when he came off the bench against Newcastle in April 2025 at 15 years and 271 days old. He followed that up by becoming the youngest goalscorer in Championship history last August, netting against Preston North End.
The teenager signed a scholarship deal with Leicester last summer, automatically converting to a professional contract on his 17th birthday next week, meaning any suitor must now negotiate a transfer fee rather than compensation.
Leicester’s relegation to League One has left their academy more exposed to interest from Premier League clubs this summer, with City continuing to strengthen Maresca’s squad following the Elliot Anderson signing from Nottingham Forest.
