Man City set for transfer battle to sign teenage prodigy who may cost £15m

Manchester City are set for a transfer battle with clubs around Europe to sign a 15-year-old star who could cost as much as £15 million, according to a recent report.

Man City exit the Champions League

The Blues were unable to overturn the 3-2 deficit from the first leg against Real Madrid to extend their stay in the Champions League on Wednesday night, as a Kylian Mbappé hat-trick ensured Madrid eased into the next round.

Related

Forget Dias: Pep must axe 5/10 Man City star after “hall of shame” display

Manchester City exited the Champions League with a 3-1 defeat against Real Madrid last night.

After the game at the Bernabeu Stadium, Pep Guardiola said it is the first time his City side haven’t had a good year in the Champions League.

“After we conceded the goal in the first action we didn’t defend well, it was more and more difficult. We have to accept it, the best team won, so congratulations to Real Madrid. Now we focus on the Premier League.

“It’s a fantastic team, they deserve to go through. We didn’t deserve it, it’s the first year we didn’t make a good Champions League season. We have to accept it and fight for next season to be here again. Of course, Real Madrid are contenders to win the Champions League now, but there are other good teams around.”

Defeat against Real Madrid means City’s hopes of lifting silverware this season now rest on the FA Cup, as any chance of winning the Premier League looks all but over.

Man City set for transfer battle to sign “strong” teenager

As attention slowly turns towards how they can improve for next season, the Blues already have their eyes on a potential signing for the summer. According to Mail Online, Man City are among the clubs keeping a close eye on Leicester City’s Jeremy Monga.

Monga is only 15 years old but is training with the first team at Leicester under manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, and it’s already been reported that he could cost as much as £15 million to sign.

Despite not featuring in the first team yet, City, along with Chelsea, are among the teams who are keen on signing him. But both clubs face serious competition from Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona, who have made enquiries about Monga.

Monga cannot sign a professional contract until he turns 17, which will be in July 2026. That puts the Foxes in a vulnerable position, as several top European clubs circle to scoop him up without the complications of being under a lengthy contract.

The left-winger was recently named in the Leicester first team squad in the match against Manchester United in the FA Cup, as van Nistelrooy believed the player was “ready” and “physically strong”.

“We feel Jeremy is ready for this and, of course, there’s still a long way to go. We have evaluated his progress and, from last week onwards, he will be part of regular first-team training until the end of the season. Physically, he is very strong and mature already at this age. He deserved this opportunity and we need wingers.

“It’s clear he is a big talent, but we cannot go too quickly with a young boy like that,” van Nistelrooy told ITV Sport.