JibrinLeicester & Man City transfer agreement could soften Foxes up for significant summer exit
It has been far from an ideal 2025-26 campaign for Leicester City, who somewhat astonishingly find themselves involved in a Championship relegation dogfight with less than a third of the season remaining.
The Foxes were crowned Premier League champions less than a decade ago, embarking on numerous European adventures and even lifting the FA Cup as well, but, given the unstable nature of football, they could well be playing their football in League One next season.
Marti Cifuentes’ tenure, although it displayed some bright sparks, went far from planned, with the Spaniard now having been replaced by former Millwall and Oxford United boss Gary Rowett.
Rowett was brought in with the task of keeping the club up, nothing less and nothing more, and kicked off his reign with a 2-2 draw away to Stoke City, having been denied all three points after Ben Wilmot’s late leveller.
Divine Mukasa was particularly impressive for the Foxes, netting Leicester’s first and setting up the second, meaning he has two goals and two assists in three league outings since his arrival on loan from Manchester City in January.
In a move which could benefit both parties, Manchester City will be hoping Mukasa’s impact at the King Power Stadium could potentially help to smooth over a deal in the summer for one of Leicester’s starlets.
Manchester City may be hoping that Mukasa impact can help facilitate a summer Jeremy Monga move
Having initially developed through the academy at West Ham, Mukasa made the move to Manchester City in 2023 and has starred in the Citizens’ youth ranks ever since, though he has earned several appearances this campaign in the first team under Pep Guardiola prior to his loan move to Leicester this January.
In what is his first taste of regular senior football, Mukasa has been electric for a struggling Foxes outfit, with two goals and two assists in his opening three games, giving Rowett’s side hope that they can claw their way away from relegation this campaign.
His impact has been immediate, and something which Leicester will no doubt hope he can sustain across the rest of his stay with the club.
Whilst Mukasa develops with Leicester, Manchester City will not only hope that he massively benefits from his time with the Foxes, but that this loan agreement helps to oil the wheels over a potential summer move for Jeremy Monga.
Monga became the second-youngest Premier League player in history last season, behind only Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri, and at still only 16 has made 22 league appearances in the Championship this term, scoring once and assisting twice.
The Citizens had been linked with a move for Monga back in October, but given the fact he’s already inked a pre-contract professional deal with Leicester, which will come into effect when he turns 17 in July, nothing will be able to be done with another club until then.
However, should Mukasa play a pivotal role in Leicester’s survival this season, Guardiola and the Man City hierarchy will be hoping that it will grant them an advantage if they decide to enter negotiations for Monga this summer.
In a deal which seemingly benefits everyone involved, Manchester City will almost certainly return to make a move Monga this summer, at which point they will hope to have ample leverage when discussing terms with the Foxes.
Leicester City will be reluctant to see Jeremy Monga leave, but may be powerless due to Premier League money
Still just 16, Monga has had little time to make an impact at Leicester, though he is being touted for a blockbuster switch to Man City such is his talent.
Leicester have been docked six points for breaching Profit and Sustainability Rules whilst in the top flight, seeing them plummet down the table as a result. However, neither the Premier League nor the club are pleased with the outcome.
This coincided with the Foxes spending nothing on transfers over the summer despite collecting healthy fees for the likes of Bilal El Khannouss, James Justin, Kasey McAteer, and Mads Hermansen, whilst dramatically reducing the wage bill in the process.
Loan deals, such as the one for Mukasa, have been their only avenue, alongside free transfers, to bring players in over the course of this campaign.
Leicester may once again be forced to sell in the summer, with Monga being one of their prized assets and most valuable players.
The 16-year-old’s departure may be a necessity, and with Manchester City helping them out by loaning Mukasa, it likely puts them in the driving seat for the starlets signature this summer.
Jibrin
