Arsenal are reportedly ready to use Albert Sambi Lokonga as a makeweight in a deal for Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
Milinkovic-Savic has been persistently linked with a switch to the Premier League for a number of years now, and it was no different in the summer transfer window.
Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea were among the clubs linked with a move for the Serbia international, but he has remained loyal to the Biancocelesti.
Despite the protracted summer transfer saga, Milinkovic-Savic has been in stellar form for Lazio so far this term, scoring four goals and setting up a further seven in 15 appearances.
The 27-year-old now has 62 goals and 58 assists from 309 games in a Lazio shirt, but his contract is due to expire in under two years' time.
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Milinkovic-Savic's agent has affirmed that the midfielder's contract situation will be addressed after the World Cup, and interest in his services remains rife.
Arsenal remain determined to strike a deal for the former Genk man in 2023, according to Calciomercatoweb, who claim that Lokonga could be offered as part of a deal.
The 22-year-old arrived with high hopes from Anderlecht last year, but he has been unable to break up the established pairing of Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka.
As well as waving goodbye to £22m-rated Lokonga, the report claims Arsenal would likely have to stump up a cash sum of between €50m (£43.7m) and €60m (£52.5m) to acquire Milinkovic-Savic.
Lokonga has amassed 34 appearances for Arsenal without registering a goal or assist, and he has made just two Premier League starts so far in the current campaign.
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The Belgium international has started all four of Arsenal's Europa League wins, but he recently admitted that he nearly "snapped" in the summer over his lack of playing time.
Lokonga also left the door open to a move away from the club in 2023, telling La Dernier Heure: "Honestly, it's difficult. I'm at one of the best clubs in England. I could have played somewhere else every weekend, but that wouldn't have been the right solution for me.
"It's a personal decision [to stay at Arsenal]. I wanted to give myself another year to stay at Arsenal and then see what happens.
"At the end of last season, I almost snapped. I called my agent to ask him if staying at Arsenal was a good idea. He comforted me in my choice, even though I know I need to start more often to develop."
Lazio are not the only Italian club that Lokonga has been linked with, as Juventus supposedly want to sign the Belgian in a deal that would see Weston McKennie join Arsenal.
Lokonga will hope to return to the starting lineup when Arsenal continue their continental duties away to PSV Eindhoven in Europa League Group A on Thursday, with the Gunners already guaranteed to make the knockout round playoffs and needing just one point to finish first, which would seal a place in the last-16.
Ben Knapton
