Manchester City have dealt a blow to Premier League champions Arsenal by signing 17-year-old Jeremy Monga from relegated Leicester City for £10m plus add-ons, winning a transfer race the Gunners believed they had won.
The England youth international, who turned 17 on Friday, has signed a five-year deal and described joining City as “a dream come true”. “This has been the best club in England over the past 10 years,” he said. “And it has also handed opportunities to players from the academy like Phil Foden and Nico O'Reilly, which shows that the pathway is there.”
“Manchester City have signed Leicester teenager Jeremy Monga for £10m, beating Arsenal in the transfer race.”
Arsenal had been leading the chase for the winger, with Brentford also in contention, but City accelerated their interest under new manager Enzo Maresca, who worked with Monga during his time in charge of Leicester. Maresca's side gazumped the Gunners at the finish line, leaving Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta bitterly disappointed and wondering how his side were outmanoeuvred.
Monga became Leicester's youngest starter aged 16 years and 34 days in last August's Carabao Cup defeat to Huddersfield, and made his Premier League debut under ex-Leicester boss Ruud van Nistelrooy against Newcastle. He went on to make 37 appearances for the Foxes, including seven as a substitute in the top flight.
Primarily a left winger but comfortable on the opposite flank and adept with both feet, Monga had agreed a one-year scholarship at the King Power Stadium, which converted to a professional contract on his 17th birthday, triggering a transfer fee. The £12.5m fee – which includes add-ons – is substantial but not unprecedented. Tottenham spent £30m on 18-year-old Archie Gray in 2024, Manchester United paid £27m for 18-year-old Luke Shaw 12 years ago, and Arsenal themselves shelled out up to £12.5m for 16-year-old Theo Walcott back in 2006.
The move underscores the tussle between City and Arsenal not just for trophies but for the country's best young talent – and this time, City have come out on top.