Manchester City close in on Leicester teenager Monga after Arsenal drop out over valuation

Manchester City have moved to the front of the queue to sign Leicester City teenager Jeremy Monga after Arsenal pulled out of the running, with reports suggesting City’s interest has advanced significantly in recent days.

The Gunners had been tracking the 16-year-old attacker for some time, with figures of between £10m and £15m discussed as a potential fee. However, according to The Athletic, Arsenal have now stepped back from the deal, deterred by Leicester’s valuation. BBC Sport subsequently reported that City have entered the race and made formal enquiries.

Monga’s contract situation adds urgency to any potential deal. His academy scholarship is set to convert to a professional contract on his 17th birthday on 10 July, meaning a transfer fee could either be negotiated directly with Leicester or, if no agreement is reached, determined by a tribunal.

The forward has already made a remarkable impression despite his age. He became the second-youngest player in Premier League history when he came off the bench for Leicester in a 3-0 defeat to Newcastle United on 7 April 2025, aged just 15 years, eight months and 28 days — a record since surpassed by Arsenal’s Max Dowman. He went on to make seven Premier League appearances that season.

Following Leicester’s relegation to the Championship, Monga continued to develop at pace. He made 30 appearances in all competitions during the 2024/25 campaign and became the Championship’s youngest-ever goalscorer when he netted against Preston North End in August.

Monga has also caught the eye at international level, scoring the decisive goal in England Under-18s’ 2-1 win over Greece Under-19s and adding another in a 6-1 victory over Cyprus.

Leicester resisted interest from multiple clubs last summer despite their relegation, and a tribunal remains a possibility if a fee cannot be agreed this time around. Arsenal, meanwhile, have been actively seeking to bolster their young talent pool — a priority underlined by the breakthrough seasons of Dowman and Myles Lewis-Skelly.