Manchester City beat Arsenal to £12.5m deal for Jeremy Monga
Manchester City have agreed a deal to sign Leicester City winger Jeremy Monga for a package worth £12.5 million, overcoming sustained competition from Arsenal and strong interest from elsewhere to secure the England youth international’s signature, per The Athletic. The structure consists of a £10 million fixed fee, £2.5 million in add-ons, and a percentage of any future sale.
Arsenal had been the leading party in the pursuit for much of its duration. Arsenal had entered club-to-club contact with Leicester but failed to bridge the gap between their offer, which was reported to be around £6.5 million, and Leicester’s £10 million to £12 million valuation. The Gunners ultimately informed Monga’s representatives and Leicester that they would not submit a new proposal, at which point City moved to finalise the deal.
Arsenal withdrew after failing to meet Leicester’s asking price
The signing is driven in large part by City’s new manager, Enzo Maresca, who took over at the Etihad this summer. Maresca previously managed Leicester City and, while Monga was not yet involved with the senior setup during that period, the Italian maintained an awareness of his development and was personally involved in presenting the long-term project to the player and his family, per Fabrizio Romano. That connection is reported to have been decisive in persuading Monga to choose City over Arsenal.
🚨 Manchester City reach agreement with Leicester City to sign Jeremy Monga. Deal for 16yo #LCFC winger £12.5m (£10m + £2.5m) & percentage of future sale. #MCFC secure England youth int’l despite #AFC pursuit & strong interest from elsewhere @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/ov6dyuVF1R
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) July 4, 2026
Monga was born in July 2009 and turns 17 this week, came through the Leicester City academy after initially joining from Coventry City at the under-9 level. In the 2025-26 season he made 37 senior appearances for Leicester, scoring one goal, becoming the youngest goalscorer in Championship history at 16 years and 37 days against Preston North End in August 2025.
He also became the youngest player to start a match for Leicester, doing so in the Carabao Cup against Huddersfield that same month. He has represented England across multiple youth age groups.
Leicester are now competing in League One after successive relegations.
Manchester City now optimistic on hijacking a deal for Jeremy Monga in a move driven by Enzo Maresca, as first called by @SamiMokbel_BBC.
Leicester want around £10m-£12m.
Arsenal latest offer closer to £6.5m.
Tribunal would settle a fee if clubs can’t agree.
More on… pic.twitter.com/jn8UjLXy4c
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) July 2, 2026
The £12.5 million generated from this deal, along with any future sell-on percentage, represents meaningful income for a club rebuilding significantly outside the top flight. Per Ben Jacobs, the Foxes had made clear they were seeking to maximize the fee rather than accept any offer short of their valuation.
For City, Monga joins a club still stocked with wide attacking options but investing now in the development tier beneath the first team. Maresca’s direct involvement in the recruitment signals that the intention is to develop him over time at the Etihad rather than loan him immediately.
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