Arsenal edge closer to completing first summer signing

22 Jun 2026 08:56 BST | 4 min read

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Accredited sports journalist covering football since 2020

Arsenal are reportedly expected to complete the signing of Leicester City wonderkid Jeremy Monga before the start of pre-season.

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The Gunners are set to be fairly active in the transfer market this summer as they look to defend their Premier League crown, and Monga could become their first signing of the window if an agreement is reached with Leicester shortly.

Current ETV

Jeremy Monga

M (L)

Leicester

Jeremy Monga

M (L)

Leicester

ETV Range

€12M - €14.7M

The 16-year-old has made 37 first-team appearances for the Foxes to date and Arsenal look set to fight off significant competition from fellow Premier League clubs to land one of England’s most promising youngsters this summer.

Chelsea and Manchester City are among the clubs who will miss out on Monga’s signature to Arsenal, with the England U19 international expected to link up with the Gunners’ U21 side upon his arrival or be sent out on loan for the 2026-27 season.

Despite Monga’s potential, he is unlikely to be handed a first-team role at the Emirates Stadium next term, with Mikel Arteta’s side instead set to sign a more experienced option as their new left winger.

Morgan Rogers and Bradley Barcola are considered to be Arsenal’s two top targets as things stand, while there is also an appreciation for Club Brugge star Christos Tzolis, who scored 22 goals across all competitions last campaign.

Defender Piero Hincapie is expected to arrive on a permanent deal from Bayer Leverkusen after the 2026 World Cup, following a successful loan spell at the club, but Monga may become Arsenal’s first summer signing if they are able to finalise terms with Leicester shortly.

This has been confirmed by BBC Sport reporter Sami Mokbel, who has revealed that a deal for Monga is likely to be announced before Arsenal’s squad returns to London Colney for the start of pre-season in July.

© IMAGO - Jeremy Monga is set to join Arsenal

Confirmed: Arsenal closing in on Jeremy Monga deal

“The interest [in Monga] is absolutely concrete. My understanding is that there is a broad agreement now in place with the player. The player wants to join and all that is left is for Arsenal to complete a deal with Leicester,” Mokbel told Arsenal podcast Latte Firm.

“I think there will be a level of complication with that because there would almost certainly have been an agreement between Leicester and Monga ahead of him turning 17 and signing his professional deal.

“Arsenal were certainly mindful of that and how much they should bid for Monga or whether they should let the process go to a tribunal. I think there is a little bit of a way to go for Monga to become an Arsenal player, but I’m pretty certain that he will eventually be one by the start of pre-season.”

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