Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Jeremy Monga from Leicester City. The teenager, who turned 17 this week, arrives at the Etihad Stadium in a £10 million deal with add-ons and will link up with Enzo Maresca's first-team squad.
Monga's Role and Pre-Season Plans
Midfielder Monga will join the Blues on their pre-season tour of Asia later this month and be given a chance to impress the coaching staff. He has penned a five-year contract at the Etihad, with City confident he will develop into a first-team player. It remains to be seen whether the youngster stays with City this season or heads out on loan, but his first steps will be with the senior squad. He will get minutes this summer as City play Inter Milan, the K-League All Stars, and Atletico Madrid.
City's Long-Term Interest and Maresca's Influence
City have been monitoring Monga 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 then, and Monga signed a one-year scholarship deal with Leicester that would become a professional contract when he turned 17. That contract meant a transfer fee would need to be paid for his departure. Initially, it seemed Arsenal would win the race after holding talks this summer. But City, backed by new boss Maresca, moved late and struck a deal with Leicester, with the Gunners stepping back.
Maresca played a key role 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 decisive, but City's desire to secure the best young talent is also a factor, along with a belief that Monga has the potential to become a first-team player.
Monga's Record and Versatility
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 against Newcastle United in April 2025. Only Arsenal pair Max Dowman and Ethan Nwaneri have appeared in a top-flight fixture at a younger age. Monga has already made 37 senior appearances for Leicester, including seven off the bench in the Premier League.
