£17.2m Arsenal signing set for third loan transfer as Gunners set for windfall

Sevilla are in advanced talks to sign Albert Sambi Lokonga from Arsenal.

The Belgian has failed to impress since his £17.2million move from Anderlecht in July 2021. He made 24 appearances during his maiden campaign and played another 15 matches at the start of the following season before sealing a short-term loan move to Crystal Palace in January 2023.

He returned to the Gunners that summer before securing another loan switch away, this time to newly-promoted Luton. However, in his second game, Lokonga picked up a hamstring injury and did not play for three months. Upon returning, Lokonga became a regular in the Luton midfield with Rob Edwards regularly praising him for his standout performances in a struggling team. Although the Hatters were relegated, his loan was seen as successful.

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But now, Lokonga is set for another move away from the Gunners. According to Spanish outlet Penalty, Lokonga has agreed personal terms with Sevilla to join them for the 2024/25 season. Sevilla are content to pay a €3million (£2.5m) fee for the loan move, and it’s understood the only sticking point of the deal is Arsenal wanting to include a mandatory purchase option, while the La Liga side want it as optional.

“I think that [my time at Arsenal] is slowly coming to the end,” Lokonga told VOO Sport last month. “I had a discussion with the club and what was said is that the best solution for me was to leave. “I have a one year contract plus a one year option, so now it’s up to the club and my agent to find the best solution.”

Should Arsenal manage to agree a deal in total with Sevilla, some fans may be split on the decision to let him leave again. Some will be happy Lokonga has the chance to play regular football, while others may feel that in a summer when the Gunners need another midfielder, they have someone like him showing so much promise.