Arsenal in club-to-club talks with Leicester over Jeremy Monga
Arsenal are in direct club-to-club talks with Leicester over winger Jeremy Monga, with Leandro Trossard among the wide options shaping his pathway if a fee is agreed. The Athletic says no deal is done yet; BBC Sport and ESPN report Leicester rejected a first bid and Arsenal plan an improved offer.
Key Takeaways
- Arsenal and Leicester are negotiating directly over Jeremy Monga, aiming to avoid a tribunal, per The Athletic.
- Leicester rejected Arsenal's first bid; ESPN sources say the Gunners will bid again.
- Monga, 16, made 37 Leicester appearances and prefers Arsenal despite wider interest.
- ESPN sources say Arsenal have not decided whether he joins the first team or goes on loan.
- Leicester's League One relegation and financial rules add pressure to sell, ESPN reports.
Why are Arsenal in club-to-club contact with Leicester?
According to The Athletic, Arsenal moved into direct negotiations with Leicester after the 16-year-old England youth attacker made clear he only wanted the Gunners. Several leading clubs had tracked Monga, but the Premier League champions are trying to agree a fee both sides accept rather than let an independent tribunal set the price.
The talks are being handled respectfully because of Monga's age, The Athletic adds, even though no agreement has been reached. That club-to-club channel matters: Monga signed a one-year scholarship deal last July that converts to a professional contract when he turns 17 on 10 July, meaning Leicester can demand a transfer fee rather than loose development compensation.
What happened to Arsenal's first bid for Monga?
BBC Sport's gossip roundup says Arsenal's opening bid for Leicester and England Under-19 winger Monga was rejected, citing the Telegraph. The BBC lists him among the club's long-term summer targets.
ESPN sources told the outlet that Arsenal are planning to return with an improved offer after that initial rejection. Leicester were relegated to League One last season and, per ESPN, face pressure to sell players to meet English Football League financial regulations—factors that could push talks forward even after the first bid fell short.
Where would Monga fit—and how does Trossard factor in?
The Athletic notes Monga made his Leicester debut aged 15 years and 271 days against Newcastle United in April 2025, becoming the third-youngest Premier League player behind Arsenal's Max Dowman and Ethan Nwaneri. He has 37 first-team appearances, including 30 in 2025-26, often from the bench.
ESPN sources said no decision has been taken on whether Monga would slot into Mikel Arteta's first-team squad immediately or head out on loan. With established wide players already at the club—including Leandro Trossard—minutes may be limited early on, which aligns with the loan pathway ESPN flagged.
Monga's direct dribbling profile—The Athletic cites 7.8 attempted take-ons per 90 minutes at a 36% success rate—mirrors how modern clubs use data to scout talent, a trend we cover in our Future Tech & AI Wonders section.
What makes Monga such a hot property?
Beyond the numbers, The Athletic describes Monga as predominantly right-footed, happy to attack full-backs, cut inside, and shoot. England Under-18s coach Ben Futcher has also used him off the right and through the middle.
Leicester's relegation and a six-point profitability and sustainability deduction, reported by The Athletic, have weakened their hand retaining youth talent after exits such as Trey Nyoni to Liverpool. For Arsenal, securing Monga before rivals re-enter the race would strengthen a wing pipeline that already includes Trossard and other senior options—if the improved bid Leicester want actually lands.