The Arsenal midfielder is closing in on a loan move with an option to buy

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The Arsenal midfielder is closing in on a loan move with an option to buy

Arsenal midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga will sit out the 2024/25 season loan in Seville.

The 24-year-old Belgian midfielder, who is contracted at the Emirates Stadium until 2026, has not played for Arsenal since January 2023 after successive loan spells at Crystal Palace and Luton Town.

In the injury-plagued 2023/24 campaign, Sambi Lokonga made just 17 Premier League appearances last season and was unable to prevent them from losing in the Championship.

He will now have the chance to get his job back in La Liga, with Sevilla holding the option to make the loan move permanent next summer.

“We had some discussions with him [director of football] The Conqueror [Orta] long ago and today they finally came true,” said Sambi Lokonga in his press conference on Monday.

“I knew it would be a great day, I have more experience and I'm a better player and person. Everyone knows that Sevilla has a great history. I hope I can win more at this club… for me, the most convincing thing is the chance to win again and be part of a club that writes its history.”

Arsenal paid around £17m to sign Sambi Lokonga from Anderlecht in 2021. He was a regular starter for Mikel Arteta's side but was pushed to the sidelines in a few months when Granit Xhaka returned from injury. The subsequent arrivals of Jorginho and Declan Rice in successive transfer windows throughout 2023 have increased the competition for midfield positions.

Fabrizio Romano reported that Sevilla's option to buy is set at €12m (£10m), which would represent a significant loss. But Arsenal will earn 25% of future sales revenue if they are launched.