One Arsenal player is now on the verge of leaving the Emirates Stadium after the Gunners seem to have structured a deal that works for them.
Arsenal face a major challenge when it comes to selling players this summer.
Sporting director Edu must to do all that he can to extract maximum value from outgoing players. However, the Brazilian may struggle to succeed in this, as in many cases the Gunners are looking to offload players in a context that suits potential buyers.
For instance, Mikel Arteta is open to selling Emile Smith Rowe, Eddie Nketiah, and Reiss Nelson this summer. All three players are homegrown, have shown their quality in the Premier League in the past, and still ought to have their best years ahead of them.
However, this trio have all also fallen down the pecking order in North London, and are widely known to be surplus to requirements. This may prompt potential suitors to come forward with lower offers, in the hope that the Gunners will prove desperate to sell before the end of the window. Arsenal have already been told that their asking price for Nketiah is too ambitious.
One player who saw his stock rise last season, though, is Albert Sambi Lokonga, as he impressed whilst on loan with Luton Town. Despite the good form he showed for the Hatters, Arsenal have still told Lokonga that he is no longer in the manager’s plans at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga closing in on Sevilla move as details of deal are divulged
The Gunners are keen to offload the Belgian ace on a permanent basis this summer, but now look set to compromise on this stance to some extent. Sevilla are now close to sealing the 24-year-old’s services on loan.
However, there is more to the deal than that, as reported by Chris Wheatley on Instagram: “Sambi Lokonga is nearing a move to Sevilla on loan — with obligation to buy clause included. Clause expected to be in region of £10m. Final details still being discussed, with Lokonga keen on move.”
What the finances of this Lokonga deal mean for Arsenal
That obligation to buy clause ensures that the Spanish club will shell out £10 million for Lokonga next summer. Of course, this figure still falls significantly short of the £15 million Arsenal paid to sign Lokonga from Anderlecht in 2021.
Whilst the once-capped Belgium international began to recover his form last season, significant damage was already done to his reputation and value, as he failed to make the grade at Arsenal across 39 appearances for the club.
Arsenal will be pleased to have some guaranteed cash coming their way for Lokonga, but the fact that it won’t come into their coffers this summer is a blow as it cannot now be reinvested.
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