Arsenal are set to receive a fee from Lazio for Nuno Tavares this summer, but Albert Sambi Lokonga won’t be staying with Sevilla, according to reports.
ROME, ITALY: Nuno Tavares of SS Lazio during the SS Lazio training session at the Formello sport centre on October 17, 2024. (Photo by Marco Rosi - SS Lazio/Getty Images)
Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images
As covered earlier this week, Lazio are expected to sign Nuno Tavares on a permanent deal from Arsenal this summer. But the final fee could be a little more than previously reported, with Fabrizio Romano now claiming the Gunners are owed a €9m (£7.6m) fee.
That would put the club in position to break even on Tavares even before including his sell-on clause, which is believed to be worth at least 25% of a future sale. Arsenal originally signed Tavares for under £7m.
But whilst Tavares is making his move permanent, it seems Albert Sambi Lokonga won’t be doing the same.
BARCELONA, SPAIN: Albert Sambi Lokonga of Sevilla FC shows appreciation to the fans following the LaLiga match between RCD Espanyol de Barcelona and Sevilla FC at RCDE Stadium on October 25, 2024. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images
Romano reports that Lokonga will return to Arsenal after his loan spell with Sevilla, and Matteo Moretto confirms that it’s already effectively decided that the midfielder won’t continue with his loan club.
Like Lazio and Tavares, Sevilla had a purchase clause in Lokonga’s loan contract. But it was always an option, rather than an obligation.
With Sevilla having a very poor season and Lokonga struggling with injuries, it’s really no surprise that they won’t be stumping up the cash. The La Liga side side 14th in the table, with no European football in 2025/26 to prop up their finances.
PORTO, PORTUGAL: Fábio Vieira of FC Porto looks on during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 match between FC Porto and FC Midtjylland at Estadio do Dragao on December 12, 2024. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)
Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images
Arsenal have a number of other players on loan, including Karl Hein (Real Valladolid), Fabio Vieira (FC Porto), and Reiss Nelson (Fulham). But the only other player with a purchase clause in his deal is Marquinhos, and Cruzeiro are currently hesitating on activating it.
It looks like Tavares is the only loanee who will guarantee Arsenal a fee this summer.
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