On Thursday night, Spanish journalist Maximo de la Cruz Ramirez Ramirez announced that Sevilla had finalized an agreement with Arsenal for the transfer of Albert Sambi Lokonga. The deal, a loan with an option to buy set at €12 million (£10.2 million), includes Sevilla covering Lokonga’s €3 million wages for the season.
Renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed that the arrangement was in place, and Lokonga’s medical examination had already been scheduled. David Ornstein of The Athletic added that should Sevilla exercise the purchase option at the season’s end, Arsenal would receive 25% of any future sale proceeds.
Fiorentina reportedly offered a more favorable deal for Lokonga, but the player was determined to join Sevilla. Arsenal had previously received £500,000 for Lokonga’s loan to Luton Town last season and may have also earned from his loan to Crystal Palace.
Lokonga, originally signed for £15 million, played 19 times for Luton Town despite some injury setbacks. He finished the season strongly, making five consecutive starts and delivering solid performances.
The official confirmation of Lokonga’s move to Sevilla now appears imminent.
Meanwhile, Lazio is reportedly nearing a deal to sign Arsenal full-back Nuno Tavares. According to Fabrizio Romano, the Gunners have verbally agreed to a transfer worth £7.5 million (€9 million) with the Italian club.
Tavares, who has played fewer than 30 matches in all competitions for Arsenal, is set to end his three-year stint with the club. Despite back-to-back loans to Marseille and Nottingham Forest, the 24-year-old has not secured a place in Mikel Arteta’s first-team plans.
With Tavares entering the final year of his contract, Arsenal needed to sell him to avoid losing him for free next summer. Arteta will likely view the deal, worth nearly £8 million, as good business. Tavares, in turn, will look forward to the challenge of playing in a new country and league.
Leave a Reply