Manchester City have agreed a £12.5m deal to sign 17-year-old winger Jeremy Monga from relegated Leicester City, appearing to beat Premier League champions Arsenal to one of English football's most highly rated teenagers. Arsenal had been leading the race and were reportedly close to completing a deal, with Brentford also interested, but City stepped in after BBC Sport revealed their interest, leaving Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta disappointed. The move underlines how City and Arsenal are now competing not just for major trophies but for the country's best young talent, though the transfer is yet to be finalised.

Monga became Leicester's youngest starter at 16 years and 34 days in a Carabao Cup tie last August and is currently the third-youngest player to feature in the Premier League, behind Arsenal's Max Dowman and Ethan Nwaneri. An England youth international capped from under-15 to under-19 level, he mainly plays on the left wing but can operate on either flank and use both feet, making 37 appearances for Leicester in total. The £12.5m fee, though large for his age, is not unprecedented, and the deal has accelerated under new manager Enzo Maresca, who worked with Monga at Leicester; it is not yet clear whether he will join the first-team or the academy, with a possible spot on City's pre-season tour of Hong Kong and Seoul.