Arsenal have taken a major step towards signing Leicester City teenager Jeremy Monga after reaching an agreement on personal terms with one of English football’s most highly-rated young talents.
The 16-year-old has been the subject of intense interest following Leicester’s relegation and is widely expected to leave the club this summer.
Several Premier League and European sides have monitored Monga’s situation, with Manchester City, Manchester United and Bayer Leverkusen all linked with the winger.
However, Arsenal now appear to be leading the race for his signature.
Reports indicate that Monga has made Arsenal his preferred destination after discussions with sporting director Andrea Berta and club officials.
A key part of Arsenal’s pitch is understood to have been the pathway offered to the youngster, with the club outlining a development plan similar to the one that helped Max Dowman break into Mikel Arteta’s first-team setup.
While personal terms are now believed to be agreed, Arsenal must still negotiate a compensation package with Leicester.
Monga signed a professional contract with the Foxes last year, although it only becomes active when he turns 17 in July.
That means Leicester are entitled to a transfer fee rather than losing him for a standard academy compensation package.
The Championship club are reportedly seeking between £10 million and £15 million for the teenager.
If an agreement cannot be reached, the final fee could be determined by a tribunal.
Monga has already established himself as one of the brightest prospects in English football despite his age.
He became one of the youngest players in Premier League history when he made his senior debut at just 15 years old and later became the youngest goalscorer in Championship history.
Last season he made 30 first-team appearances across all competitions, scoring once and providing two assists despite spending much of the campaign competing against older and more experienced opponents.
Former Leicester manager Ruud van Nistelrooy was among those to publicly praise the winger’s talent.
Valued for his pace, direct running and ability to play on either flank, Monga is viewed as a player with enormous long-term potential.
Arsenal’s recent recruitment strategy has placed a strong emphasis on securing elite young talent before their value rises significantly.
The arrivals of several highly-rated academy prospects over the past year reflect that approach.
Monga would fit perfectly into that model and could become the latest exciting addition to a youth setup that has already produced players such as Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman.
While a loan move has not been ruled out in the future, Arsenal’s immediate focus is on finalising a deal and securing the signature of one of the country’s most exciting young attackers.