Man City confident of hijacking Arsenal’s move for wonderkid, 16, despite Gunners agreeing fee

Arsenal could be beaten by Manchester City in the race to sign Leicester starlet Jeremy Monga, talkSPORT understands.

talkSPORT told you last month how the Gunners had agreed a fee to sign the 16-year-old winger.

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At least eight clubs are known to be keen on the teenager, who broke into the Foxes first team during the 2024/25 season.

Manchester United are one of the interested clubs, but it had been thought that Monga has opted to join the newly-crowned Premier League champions.

Arsenal looked to have stolen a march on their transfer rivals for one of the country’s brightest prospects in a deal worth in the region £10million.

Mikel Arteta‘s side are looking to strengthen their squad as they aim to retain the Premier League title for the first time in their history.

Gunner get ya?

But Man City are now looking to hijack Arsenal’s move to secure Monga’s services.

It is believed that the Citizens have made enquiries ahead of a potential summer swoop.

Enzo Maresca‘s side are now set to formalise their interest in the forward.

And it is thought that City are confident at beating Arsenal to Monga’s signature.

Monga’s age could mean a transfer fee may need to be determined by a tribunal, but talkSPORT understands this is unlikely to happen.

talkSPORT revealed in May that United, Leeds United and Newcastle United are all admirers of the teenager.

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Monga made seven Premier League appearances en route to Leicester’s relegation to the Championship in the 2024/25 season.

He then chipped in with one goal and two assists from 27 matches in England’s second-tier during the recent campaign.

His only senior goal came against Preston North End in August, where he became the youngest goalscorer in Championship history.

But for the second season running, the England Under-19 international was unable to prevent relegation.

And with Leicester gearing up for League One football, Monga looks poised to leave amid interest from the Premier League’s top two in the 2025/26 season.

German clubs Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig, as well as Serie A outfit Roma, have also been keen.

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A prodigious talent

Monga made his first team debut in April 2025 when he came on as a substitute against Newcastle.

Aged just 15 years and 271 days, he became the second-youngest player in Premier League history at the time after Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri.

Monga is also the second-youngest player ever to turn out for Leicester, behind Ashley Chambers.

Red Devils icon Ruud van Nistelrooy gave Monga his debut, and immediately backed the youngster to achieve big things.

He said: “You could see glimpses of his great qualities, he’s a great winger and has speed.

“He’s a fantastic talent – a great boy, he deserved these minutes and hopefully, more to come.”

Van Nistelrooy is one of four bosses Monga has already played under at Leicester, having also been managed by Gary Rowett, Marti Cifuentes and Andy King.