Manchester City have completed the signing of teenage prodigy Jeremy Monga from Leicester City, with the deal placing him among the most expensive 16‑year‑olds in football history.
Monga, who became the second‑youngest player in Premier League history when he debuted at 15 years and 271 days against Newcastle United in April 2025, has been tracked by Europe’s biggest clubs since his eye‑catching cameo at St James’ Park.
Fee and ranking
Transfermarkt reports the initial fee as £17 million, with performance‑related add‑ons capable of taking the total package well beyond £30 million. That base figure immediately places Monga inside the top five most expensive transfers for a player aged 16 or under.
The all‑time list, dominated by South American talent moving to Spain, now reads:
- Vinicius Junior – Flamengo to Real Madrid (2018) – €45m
- Endrick – Palmeiras to Real Madrid (2024) – €35m (rising to €60m)
- Vitor Roque – Athletico Paranaense to Barcelona (2024) – €30m (+€31m variables)
- Reinier – Flamengo to Real Madrid (2020) – €30m
- Jeremy Monga – Leicester City to Manchester City (2026) – £17m (€20m)
Should all add‑ons be triggered, Monga could leapfrog Reinier into fourth spot on the list.
What he brings to City
Primarily a right‑winger capable of operating centrally, Monga combines explosive pace with close control and a growing goal threat – he netted 12 times in 18 U18 appearances for Leicester last season.
He is expected to initially join City’s Elite Development Squad, with a pathway to first‑team involvement modelled on the club’s recent youth graduates such as Phil Foden and Rico Lewis.
The acquisition reinforces City’s strategy of securing the brightest emerging English talents early, and the fee underlines the club’s belief that Monga can develop into a Premier League star.
