Manchester City have struck an early blow in their battle with Arsenal by agreeing a £12.5m deal to sign Leicester City teenager Jeremy Monga, hijacking the Premier League champions' long pursuit of the 17-year-old.
Monga, the third-youngest player ever to feature in the Premier League, was handed his top-flight debut by ex-Leicester boss Ruud van Nistelrooy against Newcastle in April 2025, playing the final 16 minutes in a 3-0 defeat. He made a total of 37 appearances for the Foxes, seven as a substitute in the Premier League, and became Leicester's youngest starter aged 16 years and 34 days in the Carabao Cup. The England youth international tends to play from the left wing but can operate from the opposite flank too.
“Man City beat Arsenal to £12.5m signing of Jeremy Monga as Newcastle seal £23m deal for Ajax teenager Sean Steur.”
"It was a crazy experience," Monga said of his Premier League debut. "At first I was obviously nervous but when I got onto the pitch all the nerves went away as I had to switch on."
The deal is yet to be completed, but City's move has accelerated under new manager Enzo Maresca, who worked with Monga during his season in charge of Leicester. Arsenal, who were leading the race, have been gazumped at the finish line by their rivals. Brentford were also in the frame. Leicester will lose one of their star players following relegation to League One. Monga had agreed to a one-year scholarship contract which turns into a professional contract on his 17th birthday on Friday.
While City and Arsenal tussle for England's best young talent, Newcastle United have secured a teenage star of their own — signing midfielder Sean Steur from Ajax for a deal worth up to £23m. The 18-year-old landed on Tyneside on Wednesday evening before undergoing a medical and finalising his move, signing a five-year contract until 2031.
"It's an incredible feeling to be here," Steur said. "It's a giant club in the Premier League and it was always my dream to play in the best league in the world. I was at home at Ajax – I joined when I was seven and I leave with only good memories - but when a club like Newcastle comes for you, it's really hard to say no."
Steur established himself as a regular at Ajax in the second half of last season, starting in the De Klassieker win against Feyenoord at the age of just 17. According to Opta, among Eredivisie midfielders aged 18 or younger at the start of the campaign, Steur ranked first for chances created (15), total carries (231) and duel success (56.8%). He was second for passes (623), passing accuracy (89.7%), tackles (20), possession won (49) and duels won (46).
Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe called Steur a "top young prospect". "We see real potential in Sean and believe he has the characteristics to become a valuable player for us for years to come," Howe added. "Sean is an exciting addition to our squad. He's had an excellent upbringing at Ajax, who have an outstanding track record of producing young players."
Newcastle have undergone significant changes this summer, not least in midfield. Sandro Tonali joined Tottenham Hotspur in a deal worth up to £100m and captain Bruno Guimaraes has intimated he also wants to leave for Arsenal. Newcastle have had no contact from Arsenal and understandably do not want to lose the Brazilian. Whether Guimaraes stays or goes, the club have had an eye on the future with their recruitment strategy, bringing in players aged 20 and under in Steur, Bazoumana Toure and Ewen Jaouen. Steur will now join the club in time for the start of pre-season next week.
