Arsenal have been handed a first rejection in their pursuit of Jeremy Monga after tabling an offer to Leicester City.
Mikel Arteta’s side are keen on signing the 16-year-old prodigy after his breakthrough year in senior football, but will have to cough up a fee which could reach up to £15 million, according to the Athletic.
Arsenal Batted Back
Amid uncertainties around the future of their two key left wingers within the first team of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, the Premier League champions have been keen to recruit Monga, who played 30 times last season for the Foxes.
Following rumours that they may have been joined in their interest by Newcastle United, the Gunners finally made their move with Fabrizio Romano reporting that the club had tabled their first offer to Leicester.
ADVERTISEMENT
However, that was swiftly followed by an update from the Telegraph’s Sam Wallace, who revealed that the League One side have since rejected that bid, but are prepared for a fresh offer from Arsenal.
Due to their struggles with the EFL’s financial sustainability rules, which saw them pick up a six-point deduction on their way to relegation to the third tier, it is expected that the Foxes will have to sell some players this summer in order to balance the books.
ADVERTISEMENT
Any move for Monga would have to wait until July, when he will be eligible to sign a professional contract upon his 17th birthday after previously agreeing a scholarship deal 12 months ago.
It is believed that once a deal is completed, Arteta will bring the winger into his pre-season training plans before deciding whether a loan move is required.
ADVERTISEMENT
Russell Martin Faces Early Blow
A sale of Jeremy Monga was near inevitable even before Russell Martin was considered a potential contender to manage Leicester City.
However, it will still be a tough pill to swallow for the club as part of their wholesale selling spree, which is required in order to keep them afloat amid their financial worries.
The Foxes enter League One in a worse position to their fellow relegated sides in Oxford United and Sheffield Wednesday, both of whom are already on the lookout for incoming targets to challenge for immediate promotion.
ADVERTISEMENT
Considering the strict reins the club will have in order to steer clear of another points deduction, it may take a season or two for Martin to finally get his squad in shape to try and challenge.