Chelsea and Manchester City are reportedly locked in a quiet but intense battle to secure the signature of one of English football's most exciting young prospects, Leicester City's 16-year-old winger Jeremy Monga.
The Reported Transfer Tussle
According to emerging reports from Spain, the two Premier League giants are competing for the signing of the teenage sensation, with both clubs believed to be preparing a bid in the region of €25 million (£21 million). The pursuit is described as a strategic and patient 'silent battle', with neither Chelsea nor City expected to rush into an immediate move for the player.
This speculation comes as new Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior settles into his role at Stamford Bridge. Rosenior, who moved from sister club Strasbourg, has overseen a mixed start, with a win over Brentford in the Premier League following a narrow Carabao Cup defeat to Arsenal.
Who is Jeremy Monga?
Jeremy Monga is widely regarded as one of the great talents in English football. His rise to prominence was historic; he made his Premier League debut for Leicester last season at just 15 years and 271 days old, becoming the competition's second-youngest debutant ever.
Following Leicester's relegation, Monga has continued his development in the Championship. During the current campaign, he has made 20 appearances across all competitions, contributing one goal and one assist in 772 minutes of action. His talent is also recognised on the international stage, where he has earned seven caps for England's Under-19 side.
Despite the significant interest, it is understood the player is comfortable at Leicester and in no hurry to force a transfer that could disrupt his progress. He is not eligible to sign a professional contract with the Foxes until he turns 17 later this year.
Manager's Praise After Record Goal
Monga's potential was further underlined in August 2025 when he became the youngest goalscorer in Championship history, netting in a 2-1 defeat to Preston North End. After the match, Leicester boss Marti Cifuentes was full of praise for his young star.
Cifuentes told BBC Radio Leicester: "He deserves the credit, he is a talented boy and we are trying to take care of him because he is very humble and that is very important for me because the way he works on the pitch is excellent." He added, "He wants to learn, he is eager to improve and he has a lot of talent... He is showing character and personality and we're going to try to help him to be the player we think he can be."
The strong interest from Chelsea and Manchester City confirms Monga's status as a future superstar in the making. While a move may not be imminent, the £21 million valuation and top-level interest signal that a major transfer battle for his services is likely on the horizon.
