Manchester United lead Arsenal in race for Leicester signing

Manchester United are leading the race to sign Louis Page from Leicester City, despite Arsenal showing an interest in the young midfielder.

Louis Page of Leicester looks on during the Sky Bet Championship match between Leicester City and Birmingham City at The King Power Stadium on August 29, 2025 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) — Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images

For the second time in one summer, Arsenal look set to miss out on a Leicester City teenager to a Manchester-based club.

The Gunners have already seen their pursuit of young winger Jeremy Monga ending with the player joining Manchester City, and it looks like similar is set to happen with Louis Page.

Sami Mokbel reported for the BBC on Sunday that Arsenal have shown a big interest in Page, but Manchester United are in ongoing talks to reach an agreement to sign the Leicester midfielder.

Louis Page of Leicester City looks to to move with the ball away from Joe Wormleighton of Northampton Town during the Carabao Cup first round match between Leicester City and Northampton Town at The King Power Stadium on August 08, 2026 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images) — Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images

Fin Picknett then reported for Stretford Paddock that Arsenal have already had a bid rejected for Page, with the player favouring a move to United, his boyhood club.

James McNicholas has since confirmed for The Athletic that Arsenal are interested in Page, but that they currently trail United in the race.

McNicholas reports that Arsenal are continuing their drive to recruit emerging talent, having signed Elijah Upson from Spurs this summer, pursuing a deal for Axel Donczew of Cardiff City, and reaching an agreement with Mylo Bernard of Crystal Palace.

Mylo Bernard (Photo via Bernard on Instagram) — Photo via Bernard on Instagram

18-year-old Page has already made his breakthrough into senior football, and he racked up 21 appearances in the Championship, FA Cup, and League Cup last season.

The youngster has already played his first game of the new campaign too, featuring as a late substitute in Leicester’s League Cup win over Northampton last week.

With Leicester’s relegation to League One at the end of last season, the job of holding onto their top talents has become even more difficult than when they were in the second tier. Page appears likely to leave this summer, but right now he’s set for Manchester, not London.

Louis Page of Leicester City is challenged by Matthew James of Wrexham during the Sky Bet Championship match between Wrexham AFC and Leicester City at Racecourse Ground on January 20, 2026 in Wrexham, Wales. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) — Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images

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