Out-of-favour Albert Sambi Lokonga, an Arsenal midfielder, is almost certain to sign a season-long loan agreement with Sevilla this summer.
For a reported £17 million, Lokonga transferred from Anderlecht to Arsenal in July 2021. In his first season at the Emirates, he made 24 appearances for the massive north London club.
However, Lokonga has struggled to establish a regular starting position under Mikel Arteta. As a result, he spent the second part of the 2022–2023 season on loan at Crystal Palace. Last season, he completed a temporary move to Luton in an attempt to get more playing time.
Despite Luton’s Premier League relegation, Lokonga’s spell there was generally considered a success. However, Arsenal is eager for the Belgium international to go out on loan a third time, and it looks like a deal is about to be finalized.
As per the Spanish daily Marca, Lokonga is ‘near’ to becoming Sevilla’s second summer transfer window addition, after the arrival of Chidera Ejuke from CSKA Moscow last month. Lokonga is determined to play for Sevilla the next season.
It’s claimed Sevilla have been working on a temporary deal to secure Lokonga’s services ‘for some time’ and have managed to persuade Arsenal to lower their demands regarding an obligation to buy the midfielder at the end of next season.
Lokonga will therefore arrive in Seville on loan with an option to buy, with the price of a permanent agreement still being discussed. It’s unlikely the La Liga outfit will be able to purchase the Belgian outright, though, given their financial situation.
Sevilla chief Victor Orta spent six years as Leeds’ sporting director and managed to build up a network of contacts – both players and agents – which he is now using to his advantage in his native Spain.
Midway through last season, Orta facilitated a deal for Manchester United’s Hannibal Mejbri, who struggled to make an impact before returning to Old Trafford. It’s hoped Lokonga will fare better than the young Tunisian during his stay in Seville.
Lokonga – who was left out of Belgium’s squad for this summer’s European Championship – is tied into a deal with Arsenal until 2026.
Speaking to the BBC earlier this summer, Lokonga confirmed that it was likely he would be on his way out of Arsenal before the 2024/25 campaign gets underway.
‘I had a discussion with Arsenal and the conclusion was the best thing for me was to leave the club,’ he explained.
‘Now it’s up to my agent and the club to find something.
‘I still have a contract there, one year plus a one-year option so let’s see what happens.’