Arsenal withdraw from transfer race amid Manchester City ‘hijack’

Arsenal have withdrawn from the race to sign Jeremy Monga from Leicester City, with Manchester City now pushing to complete the signing.

After weeks of reports that Jeremy Monga was on the verge of a move to Arsenal, Sami Mokbel broke the news for the BBC on Thursday that Manchester City had entered the race for the winger.

At the time, Mokbel reported that City were understood to have made enquiries, with Arsenal still the most advanced in their interest. But the situation quickly changed again as the day went on.

Fabrizio Romano reported that City had taken the lead, submitting a bid in the previous 24 hours, with Enzo Maresca personally presenting his project to 16-year-old Monga.

David Ornstein and James McNicholas of The Athletic then dealt the hammer blow to any Arsenal fan hopes of seeing Monga playing for the Gunners next season, reporting that Arsenal felt Leicester’s valuation of the winger was too high and they’ve withdrawn from the race.

Manchester City are reportedly working on a £10m deal, with the two clubs in direct contact and a move now close. Whilst Arsenal were also previously in contact with Leicester, that’s seemingly no longer the case.

New City boss Maresca was behind the club’s drive for Monga, knowing him from his time at Leicester in 2023/24.

This is certainly a turnaround from previous reports, with Ornstein writing in June that whilst City were one of the clubs pursuing Monga, the player only wanted Arsenal.

But with Arsenal deciding against raising their initial bid to meet Leicester’s valuation, it seems Monga is going to have to go with his second-choice club.

Monga made 30 appearances for Leicester in all competitions in 2025/26, scoring one goal and assisting two more.

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