Manchester City have agreed a £12.5m deal to beat Arsenal to the signing of 17-year-old Jeremy Monga, while Newcastle United have completed a £23m move for Ajax midfielder Sean Steur – two deals that underscore the Premier League's relentless pursuit of teenage talent.
City’s agreement with Leicester City represents a significant blow to Arsenal, who had been leading the race for Monga and appeared close to securing the England youth international. The Gunners have been gazumped by their title rivals, with City’s new manager Enzo Maresca – who worked with Monga during his spell in charge at Leicester – accelerating the move. Brentford were also in the frame.
“Man City agree £12.5m deal for Jeremy Monga, outmanoeuvring Arsenal, as Newcastle sign Sean Steur for £23m.”
Monga became Leicester’s youngest starter aged 16 years and 34 days last August in the Carabao Cup, and is the third-youngest player to feature in the Premier League behind Arsenal duo Max Dowman and Ethan Nwaneri. He made his top-flight debut under Ruud van Nistelrooy in April 2025, playing 16 minutes in a 3-0 defeat at Newcastle. Reflecting on that appearance, Monga said: “It was a crazy experience. 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 teenager, who can play on either wing, made 37 appearances for the Foxes, including seven as a substitute in the Premier League.
The deal is yet to be finalised. Monga had agreed a one-year scholarship contract that becomes a professional contract on his 17th birthday on Friday, which triggered the transfer fee – substantial but not unprecedented, matching the £12.5m Arsenal paid for 16-year-old Theo Walcott in 2006.
Meanwhile, Newcastle have strengthened their midfield by signing 18-year-old Sean Steur from Ajax for a fee that could rise to £23m. The Dutch midfielder landed on Tyneside on Wednesday evening, completed a medical and signed 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 17. According to Opta, among Eredivisie midfielders aged 18 or younger at the start of the campaign, he ranked first for chances created (15), total carries (231) and duel success (56.8%), and second for passes (623), passing accuracy (89.7%), tackles (20), possession won (49) and duels won (46).
Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe described Steur as 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.”
The signing comes amid significant midfield upheaval at St James’ Park. Sandro Tonali has joined Tottenham Hotspur in a deal worth up to £100m, and captain Bruno Guimaraes has intimated he wants to leave for Arsenal, though Newcastle have had no contact from the Gunners and do not want to lose him. Steur, along with Bazoumana Toure and Ewen Jaouen, represents a recruitment strategy focused on players aged 20 and under with immense potential, though only Toure is realistically in contention to start against Liverpool on the opening day. Steur will join pre-season next week as he adapts to life under Howe.