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Arsenal transfer blow as 'Man City complete hijack' for wonderkid

Erling Haaland promises a new era at Manchester City following Pep Guardiola's departure

Erling Haaland promises a new era at Manchester City following Pep Guardiola's departure

Arsenal Football Newsletter

Arsenal Football Newsletter

The Gunners were in talks to sign the 16-year-old and Standard Sport reported last month that they were confident of completing a deal to bring him to north London.

But City threw their name into the hat this week, winning over the player and promptly agreeing a deal with Leicester for his transfer.

Monga will move for a £12.5m package, per reports in The Athletic, comprising of a £10m up front payment and a further £2.5m in add-ons. Leicester have also negotiated a sell-on clause.

New Man City coach Enzo Maresca, who knows Monga from his own time managing Leicester in the 2023/24 campaign, is said to have played a role in negotiations, selling the player on a long-term project.

Jeremy Monga is set to join Manchester City

Monga agreed scholarship terms at Leicester last summer, signing a one-year deal which will expire when he turns 17 on July 10. That deal means he cannot move clubs without a transfer fee being agreed.

It remains to be seen whether Monga will join Maresca’s first-team, City’s development squad, or be sent out on loan for the 2026/27 campaign. He will hope to remind the Italian of his capabilities in pre-season.

He is the third-youngest Premier League player ever, debuting at just 15 years and 271 days old, with only Max Dowman and Ethan Nwaneri doing so at a younger age.

Monga has also regularly represented England throughout the youth ranks, and is the youngest senior goalscorer in Leicester’s history.

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