Manchester United will have to pay £15 million for Leicester City starlet Jeremy Monga | OneFootball

Manchester United are in the race for Leicester City’s Jeremy Monga and have held talks over a summer move.

Following the Foxes’ recent relegation to League One, a fierce market battle is emerging for the 16-year-old wonderkid.

Arsenal have already presented a formal proposal outlining a pathway to the first team, but United are prepared to push hard to sign one of English football’s most coveted prospects.

A £15 million price tag has been quoted for the compensation and structured fees required to prise the winger from his boyhood club.

Monga is unable to sign a professional contract until his 17th birthday in July.

Described as a ‘fantastic talent‘ by Ruud van Nistelrooy, Monga became the youngest goalscorer in Championship history at 16 years, one month and six days this season, leapfrogging Jude Bellingham in the process.

He also became the third-youngest debutant in Premier League history last term, featuring against Newcastle United at just 15 years and 271 days old.

While his raw statistical output this season was limited to one goal and two assists, analytics departments across Europe have closely tracked his underlying physical traits and high-ceiling metrics.

With several clubs interested, United will be keen to position themselves at the front of the queue to sign Monga.

The club’s strategy under their current leadership has shifted heavily toward acquiring the world’s best emerging youth talent before valuations spiral out of reach.

If Jason Wilcox can convince Monga that his development is best served at Carrington, United could secure a major recruitment victory before the summer transfer window officially opens.