Sevilla have reportedly opened talks with Arsenal over the possibility of signing midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga on loan this summer.
The 24-year-old was signed by Arsenal for a fee of around £17m from Anderlecht back in 2021, and debuted for the Gunners on the opening day of the 2021-22 Premier League season, coming on as a substitute in a 2-0 away loss to Brentford.
However, he struggled to nail down a regular first-team role under Mikel Arteta, making just 12 starts in his first full season at the Emirates Stadium.
Lokonga was sent out on his first loan spell to Crystal Palace at the start of the 2022-23 season, where he again struggled for minutes before returning to the Emirates only to be sent on a second loan spell, this time to Luton Town at the start of last season.
The midfielder made 16 starts for the Hatters but suffered a hamstring injury that sidelined him for almost three months, which saw him miss the majority of the second half of the Premier League campaign.
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Lokonga set for La Liga switch this summer?
Lokonga has now returned to North London again, though the chances of him getting back into Arsenal's midfield seem unlikely given that Declan Rice currently operates as the deepest-lying player in the Gunners' engine room.
The Belgian midfielder also seems to have accepted that in order to get more playing time, he will need to secure a move away from the Emirates this summer.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano recently posted on 'X' a quote from an interview between the Belgian and VOOsport. He said, "My time at Arsenal is slowly coming to the end, I think so. I had a discussion with the club and what was said is that the best solution for me was to leave."
According to Spanish outlet Vamos Mi Sevilla, Lokonga could get the move he wants this summer, with Sevilla reportedly interested in striking a deal with the Gunners for his services.
The report adds that the La Liga outfit need to reinforce their midfield this summer given the limited options they have available at present, and the difficulties they are facing in extending Lucien Agoume's loan.
Los Nervionenses are believed to have enquired about the possibility of a loan deal for Lokonga, but with a price tag of around £15, they may consider the option of a permanent move in the future.
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Arsenal prioritise new striker signing this summer
Arteta, meanwhile, is also expected to be busy this summer, and will likely reallocate any funds received for the Belgian to bring in a new striker, which is among the club's top priorities this offseason.
The Gunners have been linked with several potential candidates in recent weeks, including the likes of RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko, brentford's Ivan Toney and Napoli striker Victor Osimhen.
Arsenal's current attacking duo of Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus managed only nine goals between them last season, as Arteta's side ended two points behind Manchester City in the Premier League title race.
There have also been widespread rumours in recent weeks that the North Londoners are in ongoing talks with Aston Villa regarding a possible move for Douglas Luiz to partner Rice in the Gunners' midfield.
Devesh Jaganath
