**Manchester City are closing in on a [£12.5 million deal](https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/jeremy-monga-man-city-transfer-11046465) to sign Leicester City winger Jeremy Monga, with the teenager reportedly set to undergo a medical.**
The 16-year-old is on the verge of leaving the King Power Stadium after City moved ahead of several Premier League rivals in the race for his signature. Manchester United and Arsenal have both been credited with interest, but the Etihad Stadium now appears to be his likely destination.
The deal is also expected to include a sell-on clause, giving Leicester protection should Monga’s value rise further in the years ahead. Arsenal had reportedly been considered favourites at one stage, but Leicester’s valuation is said to have proved too high, allowing Manchester City to push ahead.
Monga is regarded as one of the brightest young players to emerge from Leicester’s academy in recent years. He joined the club at under-nine level, having initially been with Coventry City, and progressed quickly through the age groups before stepping into senior football.
His breakthrough came during a difficult period for Leicester. He made his professional debut against Newcastle United in April 2025, aged 15 years and 271 days, becoming one of the youngest players ever to appear in the Premier League. He finished that season with seven top-flight appearances.
After Leicester’s relegation, Monga remained involved at first-team level and went on to make further history during the 2025/26 campaign. He became the club’s youngest starter in a Carabao Cup tie against Huddersfield Town, before scoring against Preston North End three days later to become the youngest goalscorer in Championship history.
That rapid progress has only increased interest from elite clubs. Monga agreed a one-year scholarship deal with Leicester last summer, with professional terms expected to follow when he turns 17 on July 10. Manchester City now appear set to move before that point, bringing an end to Leicester’s hopes of building around him for longer.
The proposed transfer would also place Monga among the most expensive departures from League One, matching the level of fee paid when Mark McGuinness left Luton Town for Sheffield United last summer.
Big Return For Ailing Leicester City
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The fee would represent a significant return for an academy player still at scholarship age, although losing Monga would also remove one of the brightest talents from their rebuild.
For [Manchester City](https://footballlowdown.com/manchester-city-strengthen-with-double-international-signing/), the deal would be another move to secure elite young talent early, with the winger’s next step likely to be shaped by how quickly he can find a route into senior football.
Likely, that would be via a loan deal and given his age, it’s not unlikely he could come up against Leicester in a League One move.