Arsenal have confirmed the exit of midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga, as he joins Hamburg in a permanent move this summer.
The 25-year-old was initially signed back in 2021 from Belgian Pro League side Anderlecht, viewed as an option with potential.
While there were some signs of that potential, he never quite showed it consistently for Arsenal, as he was sent out on loan.
Several spells at other clubs followed, including at Crystal Palace, Luton Town and Sevilla, as he looked to regain his form.
Lokonga’s loan at Sevilla had some bright moments, but injuries blighted him once again.
With a return to Arsenal following in the summer, it seemed as though an exit was always going to be on the cards.
Arsenal land £10 million fee for Albert Sambi Lokonga transfer
While Lokonga returned to Arsenal, there was always a likelihood that he wasn’t going to be part of Mikel Arteta’s plans.
The signings of Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard suggested that efforts were being made to restock the central ranks without him in mind.
There was uncertainty as to where he could end up, but in the end, Lokonga joined Hamburg in a permanent deal.
It marks an opportunity for the Belgian international to make a home for himself once again, as he looks to find his best form in Germany.
According to The Sun, Arsenal managed to land roughly £10 million for Lokonga, despite his struggles in recent seasons.
It’s a decent fee worked out by Andrea Berta, considering the injury struggles and lack of form for the midfielder.
Arsenal paid roughly £17 million for Lokonga back in 2021, but given how amortisation works with the length of his deal left, that £10 million will near enough be fully written off as profit on the accounts.
It could prove to be a good deal for the Gunners, as they look to recoup some of their big spending over the summer transfer window.
Albert Sambi Lokonga’s Arsenal career statistics
Lokonga’s time at Arsenal didn’t end the way that anyone would have hoped for when he made the switch four years ago.
The promise that he had was often hampered by his injury troubles, stopping him from getting a run of games together.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists | Yellow cards |
|---|---|---|---|
| 39 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
His 39 appearances for Arsenal rank as his second-most for any club, with Anderlecht (78) still sitting at the top of his career.
With three loan spells thrown in the mix at Crystal Palace (nine appearances), Luton Town (19 appearances) and Sevilla (23 appearances), it hasn’t quite worked out.
A move to Hamburg, where he can build again at a new club, could be the best thing for him moving forward.
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