Sevilla, a La Liga team, has reached an agreement on personal terms with an Arsenal midfielder, aiming to finalize the transfer with the Gunners. Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, might approve the departure of several first-team players as part of a minor squad overhaul this summer.
Last season, Arteta relied heavily on a core group of players, leaving many others with limited playing time and responsibilities.
Aaron Ramsdale is a prime example of a player affected by this situation. With the arrival of David Raya, Ramsdale is expected to seek a new team where he can secure a first-team position. Arsenal, in turn, appears to have identified Ramsdale’s replacement.
However, it’s not just the bench players who might be deemed surplus to requirements; those who were loaned out last season could also be on their way out. One such player is Albert Sambi Lokonga, who was signed by Arteta for £17 million in 2021.
Lokonga spent the previous season on loan at Luton Town, where he performed exceptionally well when fit. Now back at Arsenal, the 24-year-old midfielder is set for another loan move, this time to Sevilla.
According to the Spanish outlet Penalty, Lokonga has agreed to join Sevilla for the 2024/25 season. Sevilla is willing to pay a €3 million fee for the loan, but the deal’s finalization hinges on whether Arsenal can include a mandatory purchase option, while Sevilla prefers it to be optional.
This information was reported by journalist Maximo de la Cruz Ramirez, who has been credited by Fabrizio Romano.
Ramirez’s report stated: “Agreement between Sevilla and Lokonga. The Seville club and the Belgian player Albert Sambi Lokonga have an agreement for the transfer.
Sevilla FC will pay the price — which is €3m. Now they are looking to reach an agreement with Arsenal, who wants to include a mandatory purchase, while Sevilla wants it to be optional.”
If Arsenal and Sevilla reach a comprehensive agreement, fan opinions might be divided. Some fans would be pleased to see Lokonga playing regularly again, potentially securing a transfer fee to recoup their initial investment from 2021.
Others might believe that with Arsenal seeking a new midfielder this summer, the club already has a promising 24-year-old in Lokonga. Meanwhile, Arsenal is also reportedly in contact with Barcelona to sign a defender currently participating in Euro 2024.
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