Maresca keen on young winger
Manchester City have entered the race to sign Leicester City youngster Jeremy Monga, according to multiple reports. The 16-year-old winger is attracting serious interest from a host of Premier League clubs.
Sami Mokbel of the BBC reports that City, Arsenal and Brentford are all attempting to sign Monga. Arsenal were considered the most advanced in their pursuit, but City's entry has shifted the landscape.
Mokbel also states that Monga has agreed to a one-year scholarship contract with Leicester, which is set to convert to a professional deal on 10 July. That means any interested club will need to negotiate a transfer fee with the Foxes, who are believed to want a minimum of £10 million for the youngster.
David Ornstein of The Athletic has confirmed City's move, adding that Enzo Maresca is behind the club's bid to beat Arsenal to the signing. Ornstein reports that Arsenal had been in direct talks with Leicester but have been unable to agree a deal for the England youth international.
Fabrizio Romano has gone further, reporting that City are now in direct negotiations with Leicester and that Arsenal are out of the race entirely.
Monga is a versatile attacker who can play on either wing or as a number ten. He is described as an explosive dribbler, comfortable going either way on the ball, and possesses genuine pace. His eye for a pass and goal are also noted as strong points.
At just 16, he has already made first-team appearances for Leicester, which is no small feat. He is not the finished product by any stretch, but the raw materials are clearly there.
City have a track record of targeting precisely this profile of young player, and the club appears to be moving quickly to get this one over the line. Whether they can beat the competition and agree a fee with Leicester remains to be seen, but the signs are promising.