Arsenal set to announce first-team loan exit today | OneFootball

Albert Sambi Lokonga’s move to Sevilla will be announced today, according to a report, with the deal now completely in place.

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND: Albert Sambi Lokonga of Luton Town celebrates victory at full-time following the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Luton Town at Bramall Lane on December 26, 2023. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Fabrizio Romano reports that Sevilla and Arsenal are set to announce Albert Sambi Lokonga’s loan move today, with the deal done.

Lokonga is joining Sevilla on an initial loan with a €12m (£10.1m) option to buy, and the Spanish side will cover his salary for the 2024/25 campaign.

Given the uncertainty around the midfielder for the last couple of seasons, the hope will be that he really kicks on with Sevilla and they activate their option next summer.

Albert Sambi Lokonga arriving in Spain ahead of his move to Sevilla (Photo via Gonzalo Tortosa on Twitter)

Lokonga was pictured arriving in Spain late last week, so the move has been a bit of an open secret for the last few days.

David Ornstein reports for The Athletic that if Sevilla activate their purchase option at the end of the season, Arsenal would then be due 25% of any future sale of the player.

Fiorentina were reportedly willing to make a better offer for the midfielder, but Lokonga was already set on Sevilla.

Arsenal already received a fee of £500,000 for Lokonga’s loan to Luton Town last season and may also have received a fee for his loan to Crystal Palace. They originally signed Lokonga for £15m.

Albert Sambi Lokonga with Luton Town (Photo via Lokonga on Instagram)

Lokonga played 19 times for Luton Town last season amid a couple of injury setbacks.

Despite those spells out through injury, Lokonga was back in the team by the end of the campaign, making five consecutive starts in the final month and putting in some strong performances.

It’s now seemingly just a matter of time until his move to Sevilla is officially confirmed.