Arsenal midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga looked set to depart the club this summer, but with less than two weeks remaining in the transfer window, there is no sign of a move.
Lokonga was initially in advanced talks with Burnley over a loan move, but Vincent Kompany’s side have since signed Sander Berge and Aaron Ramsey as central midfield options, and do not appear to be interested in a move now.
The 23-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at Crystal Palace, and there does not appear to be any space for him in Mikel Arteta’s plans.
Sky Sports News have now reported that there are no negotiations with anyone over a move at this stage, and this could perhaps indicate that a move is unlikely before the window shuts.
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“There are also no active talks – as it stands – between Arsenal and Burnley over the signing of midfielder Albert Sambi-Lokonga,” the report from Sky claimed.
“Burnley had been in discussions over a loan with an option to buy.”
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Another late exit
Time is now running out for Arsenal to clear out some of the fringe players within the squad, and there seems to be limited progress on sales.
When Lokonga left in January, the deal was quickly completed on deadline day, with Arsenal also bringing in Jorginho on the same day. A similar exit route may perhaps be found for the Belgium international, as teams ramp up their incomings towards the end of the window.
A sale would be ideal, but if a club were to take Lokonga on loan, this could be a good move for all parties. Although Lokonga is too raw for this Arsenal team right now, he has displayed flashes of talent, and a consistent run of games on loan at a lower Premier League side could see his transfer value increase.
If Lokonga were to stay beyond the end of the window, it is unlikely that he would even make the bench in any Premier League game given Arsenal’s strong depth in his position, and a departure is certainly the best move for the player.