Arsenal to let midfielder depart club

Hamburg and Arsenal have agreed a fee for Albert Sambi Lokonga, believed to be around £2.5 million. The Belgian defensive midfielder has spent time away on loan and will now be allowed to leave the Emirates Stadium on a permanent basis.

Hamburg's squad is lacking a midfielder who can generate offensive thrust from deeper positions. Lokonga, a technically adept box-to-box midfielder, brings ball-carrying and effective passing, key traits that Hamburg currently lack.

Given his limited impact at Arsenal, including multiple loans (to Crystal Palace, Luton Town, and Sevilla) and few appearances since January 2023, he will be allowed to leave at a low price.

At Arsenal, Lokonga is surplus to requirements, especially after the club strengthened midfield with new signings like Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard.  Arsenal also need to recoup funds after a busy summer transfer window, and the sale of Lokonga is a no brainer.

The move offers solid mutual benefits: fresh opportunity for the player and midfield reinforcement for the club.  Arsenal will also be selling a player that has been looking for a move away for years.