Leicester City attacker Jeremy Monga is set to join Manchester City despite agreeing personal terms with Arsenal.
The North London club were keen on the 16-year-old as Gunners manager Mikel Arteta is eyeing attacking reinforcements at the Emirates Stadium club.
However, Arsenal were reportedly put off by Leicester’s valuation, stalling and eventually walking away from the deal.
Monga is set to become the fourth most-expensive 16-year-old ever following an agreement worth £10 million.
New Man City manager Enzo Maresca played a key role in convincing the teenage sensation to reject Arsenal for the Etihad Stadium club.
🚨 Manchester City working to complete signing of Leicester City winger Jeremy Monga. Proposed deal to #MCFC worth in region of £10m. Clubs in direct contact over 16yo #LCFC winger + move now close. Arsenal felt valuation too high & withdrew @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/hG27RSsZik
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) July 2, 2026
Arsenal stalled, Man City swooped. After Gunners put off by Leicester’s valuation, Jeremy Monga is set to become 4th most expensive 16 year old ever in now likely move to Sky Blues⭐️ pic.twitter.com/vunmvD0vCd
— Ben Littlemore (@blittlemore10) July 3, 2026
🚨🔵 Jeremy Monga to Manchester City, here we go! Deal in place with Leicester City and player side.
Fee worth £10m package as #MCFC got deal done after long talks with Arsenal but no breakthrough.
Maresca, involved in process to sign Monga by presenting long term project. pic.twitter.com/klm7aRPcKp
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 3, 2026
It is a blow for the Gunners given the huge talent of the England youth international.
Monga was keen to join Arsenal and had been speaking with Max Dowman over life at the Emirates.
The Gunners tabled a £5m bid for the Leicester winger, including a 10 per cent sell-on fee in the deal.
The Foxes knocked back the bid, insisting on £10m and a 15 per cent sell-on fee.
They initially wanted £15m for Monga but took off £5m from their valuation and Man City have agreed to do a deal.
Arsenal will now look elsewhere after missing out on him, but failure to get such a player capable of becoming a big Premier League star in the future is a major transfer blow.
Related Topics