Arsenal are reportedly on the verge of sending one of their unwanted midfielders out on loan to La Liga giants Sevilla.
Since arriving from Anderlecht for a £14.8m fee in the summer of 2021, Belgium international Albert Sambi Lokonga has struggled to assert himself in the Gunners team under Mikel Arteta.
The 24-year-old has only played for the club 39 times in all competitions, during which he has failed to register a single goal or assist, and his most recent appearance came all the way back in January 2023.
Since then, Lokonga has been loaned out twice to Crystal Palace and most recently Luton Town, impressing during his spell with the latter as he recorded one goal and three assists in 19 games.
Lokonga's contributions were not enough to keep Luton afloat in the top flight, though, and he is now due back for pre-season training at Arsenal, where his contract runs for another two seasons.
© Reuters
Lokonga 'gives green light' to Sevilla switch
Despite his strong form at Luton and Arsenal's desire to strengthen their midfield ranks, Lokonga does not appear to have a future in North London, and a summer exit has been strongly mooted.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the Belgium international is now closing in on a switch to Sevilla in La Liga, having given the thumbs-up to joining the perennial Europa League winners.
Romano claims that Arsenal and Sevilla are now thrashing out the finer details of the deal, and there is expected to at least be an option to buy included as part of the agreement.
The permanent clause could even become obligatory if certain conditions are met, as Lokonga prepares to end his underwhelming time at Arsenal, despite showing plenty of promise in his first pre-season.
Should a move go through, Lokonga would be the first player to be transferred out of Arsenal this summer, as all of Mohamed Elneny, Cedric Soares, Arthur Okonkwo, Reuell Walters and Amario Cozier-Duberry left as free agents.
Lokonga move to trigger Arsenal exodus?
🚨🔴⚪️ Albert Sambi-Lokonga has accepted Sevilla as next destination. There's total green light from the player now.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 3, 2024
Arsenal and Sevilla negotiate final details including buy clause, how to activate it and potentially make it mandatory. pic.twitter.com/HY8f1676SR
As Lokonga prepares to embark on his new adventure and most likely leave Arsenal for good, attention will soon turn to other outcasts who could follow the Belgian out of the door.
Lokonga is one of two defensive midfielders currently on the books who could head for the exit, as Thomas Partey is now in the final 12 months of his deal and is being tracked by clubs in Saudi Arabia.
Further forward, home-grown troops Reiss Nelson, Emile Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah should all be allowed to leave for the right price, having failed to establish themselves in Arteta's setup.
Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale will likely push for a move elsewhere too, as it is only a matter of time before a permanent deal for Brentford's David Raya is announced, while left-backs duo Kieran Tierney and Nuno Tavares ought to head elsewhere in the coming weeks.
Ben Knapton
