Sevilla contemplating loan bid for Arsenal outcast Albert Sambi Lokonga
Albert Sambi Lokonga has just returned to Arsenal from a decent loan spell at Luton Town, but he could already be on the move again – this time to Spain.
Per Vamos Mi Sevilla, La Liga underachievers Sevilla have set their sights on the 24-year-old amidst a midfield crisis at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.
The Andalusian outfit would ideally sign the Belgian on loan with an option to buy as the club’s sporting director, Victor Orta, bids to overhaul Garcia Pimienta’s midfield options this summer.
Lokonga could be enthusiastic about the switch after struggling to find his footing in the Premier League upon his £15 million transfer from Anderlecht to Arsenal three years ago (via Evening Standard).
Despite a promising start at the Emirates Stadium, he never lived up to his potential, resulting in a loan move to Crystal Palace in January 2023. It didn’t work out well.
After only making six league starts in the 2022/23 season, the Eagles shipped him back to Arsenal last summer.
When newly promoted Luton offered him an escape route from London in the build-up to the 2023/24 campaign, Lokonga must have thought he’d get a prominent role at Kenilworth Road.
However, he amassed just 17 top-flight appearances for the Hatters last term, returning to the Gunners after Rob Edwards’ side suffered relegation from the Premier League.
Lokonga has two more years left to run on his contract at Arsenal, and with the club reluctant to renew his deal, they may look to cash in on him this summer.
Faced with a well-documented financial turmoil, Sevilla can’t afford an outright transfer. But they’d include a buyout clause in a potential loan agreement.
While that’s not Arsenal’s dream scenario, they may need to reluctantly accept Los Rojiblancos’ terms to increase their chances of selling Lokonga next summer.
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