€17.5m Arsenal flop finally set for permanent exit after failed loans - report
Bundesliga side Hamburg are moving closer to sealing a permanent deal for Arsenal midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga, according to The Mirror.
The Belgian joined Arsenal from Anderlecht in the summer of 2021 for a fee of around €17.5 million. Since then, he has been unable to secure a regular place in Mikel Arteta’s squad.
Arsenal have already reinforced their midfield this summer with the signings of Martin Zubimendi and Christian Nørgaard.
Those additions have pushed Lokonga further down the pecking order, leaving his future away from north London.
A career of loan spells
Lokonga has spent much of his Arsenal career on loan. Last season he featured for Sevilla in La Liga, after previous spells with Crystal Palace and Luton Town.
His inability to break into the Arsenal starting eleven has made it clear that his long-term future lies elsewhere.
Hamburg are expected to pay only a modest fee for the 25-year-old midfielder.
His contract with Arsenal runs until the summer of 2026, after the Gunners triggered a one-year extension earlier this year.
That move was designed to protect his transfer value before sanctioning a sale.
Arsenal continue squad rebuild
Mikel Arteta has overseen an active summer transfer window with seven signings already confirmed.
A move for Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie is also close to completion, which will add further depth to the squad.
The club is now looking to reduce numbers, and Lokonga is considered surplus to requirements.
With competition in midfield stronger than ever, regular playing time at Arsenal is unlikely for the Belgian.
A permanent switch to Hamburg would give Lokonga the chance to rebuild his career and find stability.
At 25, he still has years ahead of him, and a move to the Bundesliga could provide the platform he needs to flourish.
For Arsenal, the deal would free up space in the squad and generate funds as they continue to reshape the team under Arteta.
Lokonga’s departure looks like the best option for both club and player at this stage of his career.
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