Arsenal will need to shell out at least €20 million to secure the services of Albert Sambi Lokonga from Anderlecht this summer.
According to a report by Belgian outlet Sudinfo, Arsenal now know how much they will have to pay to prise Albert Sambi Lokonga away from Anderlecht in the summer transfer window. The Belgian outfit want to recoup at least €20 million for the 21-year-old midfielder, who is also being courted by the likes of AS Monaco, Sevilla and Bayer Leverkusen.
Albert Sambi Lokonga has been with Anderlecht since 2014 and broke into their first-team setup in 2017, aged just 18. Since then, the Belgian midfielder has progressed leaps and bounds, and he is coming off the back of a memorable campaign wherein he also donned the captain’s armband for the Purple & White in nearly half the games.
The 21-year-old made 37 appearances across all competitions, chipping in with three goals and as many assists. His progress has also earned him a call-up to the Belgian national side, although Lokonga is yet to make his debut for the Red Devils. At the same time, he has also popped up on the radars of several clubs across Europe, with the most notable of suitors being Arsenal.
The interest from Arsenal makes a great deal of sense, considering Dani Ceballos has returned to Real Madrid following the expiration of his loan deal. In addition, Matteo Guendouzi seems to have a non-existent future at the Emirates, with a permanent transfer to Marseille being mooted.
Therefore, Lokonga is a viable target for Arsenal, with the 21-year-old potentially forging a solid midfield partnership with Thomas Partey. Meanwhile, Arsenal are also heavily linked with Ruben Neves, and they could sign two central midfielders, although that is not too surprising.
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With Granit Xhaka a target for AS Roma and expected to make the switch to the Italian capital, the Gunners will need to reinforce their midfield with at least two players. As for Lokonga, he is unlikely to cost a bomb, with Anderlecht looking to rake in at least €20 million in exchange for his services.
The valuation is not too steep, and Arsenal should be able to raise the required €20 million funds to land him. However, the north Londoners face stiff competition from AS Monaco, Sevilla and Bayer Leverkusen in his pursuit, and it will be interesting to see who prevails in the race to sign the Belgian midfielder this summer.
