Arsenal loanee becomes La Liga starter with transfer now likely | OneFootball

Arsenal loanee Albert Sambi Lokonga has come through some early injuries with Sevilla to win a starting spot, making a summer transfer more likely.

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At the end of September, Arsenal fans reviewing Albert Sambi Lokonga’s loan move to Sevilla would have feared he was set for a wasted season.

Just two months into the campaign, the midfielder had already suffered two hamstring injuries, playing just twice in all competitions. Yet he’s really turned things around since then.

Lokonga made his comeback as a second-half substitute against Sevilla on October 6th, before getting 45 minutes in the second half against Barcelona after the international break. After that, he broke back into the starting lineup.

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Lokonga has now started Sevilla’s last four games in a row, completing the full 90 minutes in three of them. Even Belgium have taken notice, giving the 25-year-old his comeback after a three-year absence.

Sevilla won 1-0 against Rayo Vallecano at the weekend, and Lokonga provided an assist in their previous victory over Espanyol. The signs look promising that the Spanish club will want to keep him around beyond the end of the current campaign.

Sevilla confirmed when signing Lokonga on loan that he has an option to buy in his deal, reportedly worth in the region of £10m. Arsenal would also have a 25% sell-on clause for any future move the midfielder makes.

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Yet that purchase clause is only an option, and Sevilla will want Lokonga to prove that it’s worth activating it.

The player’s starting role is encouraging on that front and definitely makes the move more likely, but Sevilla’s poor form as a team is more worrying. The side sit 12th in the table and a long way off the European qualification places right now.

Without the financial bonus that the Champions League, Europa League, or Europa Conference League can provide, Lokonga’s odds of a move would improve if Sevilla can qualify for one of the three competitions.

Now that he’s in the team, it’s up to the Belgian international to try and help his loan side turn things around. Sunday’s win is a good start.