Manchester City are closing in on the signing of highly-rated Leicester City youngster Jeremy Monga, with the Premier League champions now leading the race for one of English football’s brightest teenage talents.
Arsenal had been strongly linked with the 16-year-old forward and were understood to be leading negotiations earlier in the summer. However, City have now made significant progress in talks and are increasingly confident of securing his signature.
According to reports, Leicester had been seeking a fee in the region of £10m to £15m for the teenager. Arsenal considered several development pathways for Monga, including the possibility of a loan spell in League One, but have since stepped back from the deal amid concerns over Leicester’s valuation.
City have since moved quickly, with BBC Sport reporting that Pep Guardiola’s side have entered advanced discussions over a move. The Athletic also reports that Arsenal have withdrawn from the race, leaving City in pole position to complete the transfer.
Monga enjoyed a breakthrough campaign with Leicester after making his Premier League debut during the 2024/25 season at just 15 years of age. He went on to make seven top-flight appearances before establishing himself as one of the Championship’s most exciting young prospects last season.
Despite Leicester’s relegation, the Foxes managed to keep hold of Monga last summer, with the youngster signing an academy scholarship upon turning 16. He is now set to become eligible for his first professional contract on his 17th birthday, July 10, although any move away from the King Power Stadium could still require a tribunal to determine the appropriate compensation fee.
Monga initially became the second-youngest player in Premier League history when he made his debut aged just 15 years, eight months and 28 days, although Arsenal wonderkid Max Dowman has since moved ahead of him in the all-time rankings.
The forward continued his rapid rise during the 2025/26 campaign, making 30 appearances in all competitions and writing his name into the record books by becoming the Championship’s youngest-ever goalscorer after finding the net against Preston North End in August.
His impressive form has also been rewarded at international level, with Monga starring for England’s Under-18 side. He scored the winner in a 2-1 victory over Greece Under-19s before adding another goal in a convincing 6-1 win against Cyprus.
City’s pursuit of Monga comes during another busy summer at the Etihad. The club have already agreed a deal to sign England midfielder Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest in a transfer worth £116m, with the 23-year-old set to sign a five-year contract after completing his medical.
Should the deal be finalised, Monga would become the latest addition to City’s long-term recruitment strategy, with the club continuing to invest heavily in some of the country’s most promising young talents.