Arsenal are working hard to finalise the arrival of England U18 international Jeremy Monga from Leicester City but face stiff competition from Premier League rivals for the player's signature.
Arsenal in Pole Position
Arsenal remain confident of sealing the signing of highly-coveted 16-year-old Leicester City attacker Jeremy Monga despite several fresh hijack attempts from Premier League rivals. As reported by The Times, Mirror Football understands Brentford are the latest club to express interest in Monga via his representatives Gersh. The Bees could provide the talented teenager with a speedier pathway straight into their first-team.
Newcastle and one other unnamed German club have also been making a play for the Gunners target. However, the Premier League champions remain in pole position to conclude a deal beyond July 10 once Monga has turned 17. That date is significant because Monga's first professional deal, formally agreed with the Foxes last summer, is due to become active, meaning the League One club can command a fee.
Potential Tribunal Settlement
If a transfer package cannot be successfully negotiated between the parties, it could be settled following a tribunal. In February earlier this year, Liverpool were ordered to pay a base fee of £2.8 million to Chelsea for Rio Ngumoha plus bonuses worth up to £4 million by The Professional Football Compensation Committee (PFCC). Chelsea also received a 20 per cent sell-on clause as part of the settlement.
Arsenal's Youth Recruitment Drive
Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta has been heavily involved in the club's pursuit of Monga, the third-youngest player to play in the Premier League after Gunners duo Max Dowman and Ethan Nwaneri. Within the walls of the Sobha Realty Training Centre, there is a determination to strengthen Arsenal's youth-team ranks as they have fallen behind key rivals in recent years.
England U18 international Monga is viewed as a prospect with serious first-team potential. However, it's likely he will have to be patient for opportunities under Mikel Arteta despite making 30 appearances for Leicester last term. Aston Villa attacking midfielder Morgan Rogers, Club Brugge starlet Christos Tzolis, and PSG's Bradley Barcola are also on the club's shortlist, but there's an acceptance that deals for Rogers and Barcola may prove complex during the World Cup.
Gyokeres Add-Ons Triggered
Meanwhile, Sporting CP are set to bank around £3.45 million in add-ons triggered by Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres during his first season at the Emirates. He arrived from Lisbon last August in a deal worth an initial £55 million plus up to £8.5 million in bonuses, and some of those extras have already been met.
Gyokeres hit 20 goal contributions (21 goals and three assists in all competitions), which was worth £430,000 (€500,000) to the Portuguese outfit. Arsenal will also have to shell out that figure once more when Gyokeres reaches 40 goal contributions. Sporting also net £1.08 million when the Sweden international hits 20 appearances where he played 45 minutes or more, up to a limit of £4.30 million (€5 million).
While he made 55 club appearances in total last term, he only played 45 minutes or more in 44 of those games, meaning Arsenal will have to pay £2.16 million (€2.5 million) in appearance-related bonuses. Finally, Arsenal also secured Champions League qualification (group phase), which was worth £860,000 (€1 million) to Sporting. This particular add-on is capped at €4 million, so it can only be paid four times.
