Arsenal and Newcastle Submit Enquiries For Highly-Rated Metz Midfielder Believe Munongo

Premier League sides Arsenal and Newcastle are locked in a battle for teenage midfield talent Believe Munongo after he emerged as a subject of interest this summer, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.

Believe, 16, has seen his stock rise in the months leading up to this summer, having broken through the youth ranks into the senior side at the Stade Saint-Symphorien in Lorraine.

SportsBoom has been informed that several top clubs have been on his radar and have watched him extensively, including during this summer's U-17 Euros championships.

Premier League champions Arsenal view him as one for the future and are understandably intent on adding some extra quality to their Hale End project, as are the Magpies, who believe he fits the model for down the line.

Newcastle, in particular, are in urgent need of midfield reinforcements after losing Sandro Tonali to Tottenham, while Bruno Guimarães is also expected to depart. Even if they secure Munongo's signature, Eddie Howe is likely to target a more experienced midfielder to replace the outgoing pair and add leadership and quality to the squad.

While several other clubs that ran the rule over the France U-17 skipper during the Euros youth championship retain some level of interest, SportsBoom understands the two English sides are the only clubs to have sent official enquiries. 

SHOWING SOME PROMISE

Still only 16, Believe have established himself in the ranks of France's youth teams and helped Les Bleuets to the semifinals of the 2026 Euro U-17s, where they fell to Belgium this summer.

Last season, he earned his first senior bow for Metz, making eleven Ligue 1 appearances as they ultimately failed to retain their top-flight status.

Thus, Metz find themselves in the midst of a squad revamp to get back up next season, but are willing to try to keep hold of their most prized asset.

However, his €10-12 million valuation could represent a modest figure for interested Premier League clubs should The Maroons' management decide to sit at the negotiation table.

Metz could find themselves in a tricky position, though, as Believe have less than a year left on his current contract at the club.