Albert Sambi Lokonga trains with Arsenal (Photo via Lokonga on Instagram)
Arsenal extend 25yo's contract by 12 months 1
Arsenal have extended Albert Sambi Lokonga’s contract for a further year, activating an option in his existing deal with the club.
BARCELONA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 25: 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 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 25: 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 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Albert Sambi Lokonga’s contract with Arsenal was initially due to expire in June, but Simon Collings reports for The Standard that the player has already met with sporting director Andrea Berta to extend it.
Arsenal held an option in Lokonga’s contract to add an extra 12 months to his deal, and Berta has taken that up. The 25-year-old is no longer at risk of becoming a free agent this summer, though he would become one in 2026.
This is clearly a big summer for the midfielder, and he insists he’s yet to make a firm decision on his future.
LEGANES, SPAIN: Albert Sambi Lokonga of Sevilla FC looks dejected following the team's defeat during the LaLiga match between CD Leganes and Sevilla FC at Estadio Municipal de Butarque on November 09, 2024. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)
LEGANES, SPAIN: Albert Sambi Lokonga of Sevilla FC looks dejected following the team's defeat during the LaLiga match between CD Leganes and Sevilla FC at Estadio Municipal de Butarque on November 09, 2024. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)
“The situation is really, really open,” Lokonga told The Standard. “To talk about my future… I can’t say anything, because I really don’t know where I will end up.
“I still have one year on my contract, but it is true that as a player you want to know where you will end up or where you will stay.
“What I know for sure is I need stability. I need a club where I can stay for two or three years, to play and develop again.”
Albert Sambi Lokonga in training (Photo via Sevilla on Instagram)
Photo via Sevilla on Instagram
It doesn’t seem as if that will be Sevilla, despite the player’s loan spell with the club this season. Reports suggest that the Spanish club don’t plan to take up their option to sign Lokonga, and he posted an apparent farewell to the club on Instagram a few days ago.
“Thank you very much for this year,” Lokonga wrote. “I hope you will soon return to the glory you have known in the last years.
“Let’s see what the future has for me, Sevilla FC it was a HUGE pleasure!”
Lokonga made 23 appearances for Sevilla in 2024/25, playing a regular role whenever he was fit to feature. A few hamstring injuries held him back from more consistent minutes with the side.
For the time being, the Belgian international will be an Arsenal player once again. If he can’t sort out his future in the next few weeks, he’ll likely join the Gunners for pre-season.