Manchester City’s £10million move for Jeremy Monga is a statement signing for a 16-year-old as the Blues plot a pathway to the first team for the teenage sensation.
The Blues are expected to wrap up Monga’s arrival in the coming days. City have been monitoring the youngster for a while and were one of several leading clubs to have looked at him last summer. The Blues ultimately decided not to pursue a deal and Monga signed a one-year scholarship deal with the Foxes that would become a professional deal when he turned 17.
That contract meant a transfer fee would need to be paid for him to depart and initially it seemed as though Arsenal would win the race having held talks this summer. But City, backed by new boss Enzo Maresca, moved late and have now struck a deal with Leicester, with the Gunners having stepped back from a move.
Maresca has certainly played his part in City accelerating their interest in the winger, having been Leicester boss while Monga was coming through the ranks during the Italian’s stay in the East Midlands in the 2023/24 campaign.
That link is a decisive one but City’s desire to ensure they have the best young talent in their ranks is also a factor, along with a belief that Monga, who has already made 37 senior appearances for Leicester including seven off the bench in the Premier League, has the potential to become a first-team player.
It is a significant outlay on a player so young, but one where City feel there is value to be had and Monga becomes the latest up-and-coming talent to be signed by the Blues – following the likes of Claudio Echeverri, Vitor Reis, Juma Bah and Sverre Nypan as well as the deal last week for Mathys Detourbet, who arrived from Troyes and has subsequently joined Monaco on loan.
Once Monga’s deal is official, the youngster will likely tour with City this summer. Maresca is set to be without a host of World Cup stars for three matches in Asia. That will enable the player to settle in and showcase his ability, but he is unlikely to be a first-team-ready player at the Etihad.
He is likely to train with the senior squad but his minutes are set to come with the academy as he beds in to life at an elite Premier League club.
His arrival also doesn’t answer City’s transfer question on the wing with the Blues seeking to strengthen on the flank. While Monga may get first-team minutes next season, his arrival will not stop City from adding further depth in that area.
They are actively looking to add another winger and that desire will only grow should Savinho depart. The Brazil international is once again of interest to Tottenham but no deal has been concluded for the 22-year-old, and Spurs have subsequently spent big elsewhere in their squad.
It is understood Spurs are still keen on Savinho and his potential departure will create a senior opening on the wing. There is also the possibility City add a central player and adapt. Jeremy Doku, Antoine Semenyo, Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki are all capable of playing wide, even if the latter two will feel a number 10 role is their best position. The summer tour could also offer the likes of Ryan McAidoo the opportunity to stake a claim for regular first-team involvement.
Monga has played most of his football at Leicester on the left-hand side but is capable of playing centrally or on the right. He made his debut at just 15 when appearing for the Foxes off the bench in a Premier League game with Newcastle United in April 2025 and only Arsenal pair Max Dowman and Ethan Nwaneri have appeared in a top-flight fixture at a younger age.
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