
On Thursday night, Spanish journalist Maximo de la Cruz Ramirez Ramirez announced that Sevilla had agreed with Arsenal on the transfer of Albert Sambi Lokonga. The deal entails a loan with an option to buy for €12m (£10.2m), and Sevilla will cover Lokonga’s €3m wages for the season.
Fabrizio Romano confirmed the agreement, noting that the medical examination was already scheduled. According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, if Sevilla exercises the purchase option at the end of the season, Arsenal would receive 25% of any future sale proceeds for Lokonga.
Despite Fiorentina’s interest and willingness to make a better offer for the midfielder, Lokonga had already set his sights on Sevilla. Arsenal previously received £500,000 for Lokonga’s loan to Luton Town last season and potentially received a fee for his loan to Crystal Palace.
Lokonga, initially signed by Arsenal for £15m, played 19 times for Luton Town last season despite a couple of injury setbacks. He returned to form by the end of the season, making five consecutive starts and delivering strong performances.
Lokonga’s move to Sevilla is expected to be officially confirmed soon.
In another transfer development, Lazio is reportedly close to signing Arsenal full-back Nuno Tavares. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealed that the Gunners have reached a verbal agreement with the Italian club for a deal worth £7.5 million (€9 million).
Tavares, 24, who has played less than 30 matches in all competitions for Arsenal, will be looking forward to a new challenge after a stint marked by limited playing time.
Following consecutive loans to Marseille and Nottingham Forest, Tavares failed to secure a place in Mikel Arteta’s first team. Now in the final 12 months of his contract, Arsenal has decided to offload him to avoid losing him for free next summer.
Agreeing to a deal worth just under £8 million, Arteta will be pleased with the club’s business, while Tavares will likely embrace the opportunity to play in a new country and league.
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