On Thursday night, Spanish journalist Maximo de la Cruz Ramirez Ramirez reported that Sevilla had finalized a deal with Arsenal for the transfer of Albert Sambi Lokonga.
The agreement includes a loan with an option to buy for €12 million (£10.2 million), and Sevilla will cover Lokonga’s €3 million wages for the season.
Fabrizio Romano confirmed the deal and mentioned that the medical examination was already scheduled. According to David Ornstein from The Athletic, if Sevilla exercises their purchase option at the end of the season, Arsenal will receive 25% of any future sale of Lokonga.
Despite Fiorentina offering a better deal for Lokonga, the midfielder preferred a move to Sevilla. Previously, Arsenal earned £500,000 from Lokonga’s loan to Luton Town last season and may have received additional fees from his loan to Crystal Palace. Lokonga was originally signed by Arsenal for £15 million.
Last season, Lokonga played 19 times for Luton Town, overcoming a couple of injury setbacks. He returned to the team towards the end of the campaign, starting in five consecutive matches and delivering strong performances. His move to Sevilla is now expected to be confirmed soon.
In related news, Lazio is nearing a deal to sign Arsenal full-back Nuno Tavares. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported that Arsenal and Lazio have reached a verbal agreement for a transfer worth £7.5 million (€9 million). Tavares, 24, has spent three years with Arsenal, appearing in fewer than 30 matches across all competitions.
He has struggled to secure a place in Mikel Arteta’s first team, resulting in back-to-back loan spells with Marseille and Nottingham Forest.
With Tavares entering the final 12 months of his contract, Arsenal decided to sell him to avoid losing him for free next summer.
The deal, close to £8 million, is seen as good business for Arsenal, and Tavares is likely to embrace the new challenge of playing in a different country and league.
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