Arsenal midfielder seals loan exit with option to buy

Arsenal midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga will spend the 2024/25 season on loan at Sevilla.

The 24-year-old Belgian midfielder, who has a contract at the Emirates Stadium until 2026, hasn't played for Arsenal since January 2023 after successive loans at Crystal Palace and Luton Town.

In an injury hit 2023/24 campaign, Sambi Lokonga made only 17 Premier League appearances for the latter and was unable to prevent them suffering relegation to the Championship.

He will now have the chance to get his career back on track in La Liga, with Sevilla holding an option to make the loan into a permanent transfer next summer.

"We had some conversations with [director of football] Victor [Orta] a long time ago and today they finally came true," Sambi Lokonga said at his unveiling press conference on Monday.

"I knew it was going to 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 to be able to win a lot at this club…for me, the most convincing thing is the opportunity to win again and be part of the team writing its history."

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

Fabrizio Romano has reported that Sevilla's option to buy is set at €12m (£10m), which would represent a notable loss. But Arsenal stand to gain 25% of a future sale fee if is triggered.

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