Arsenal are set to sell midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga to Hamburg, according to reports.
The Mirror journalist Ryan Taylor has provided an update on the 25-year-old’s future. Writing on his X account on Sunday morning, Taylor said:
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“EXCL: Hamburg are close to agreeing a permanent deal with Arsenal for Albert Sambi Lokonga, per sources in Germany.”
“Likely to be modest fee as Belgian midfielder’s contract expires in 2026.”
Lokonga was once compared to a Man City legend
The midfielder’s former Anderlecht manager Vincent Kompany once likened the player to his ex-teammate Yaya Toure, and it seems Mikel Arteta signed him for the Gunners based on his recommendation. Speaking back in 2021, Kompany said:
“The first thing I did when I saw Sambi is I went to Mikel and also Pep, but Mikel first and said, ‘You got to watch this guy, he’s the new Yaya Toure.’ Anyway, nothing comes off it, he’s got a cruciate ligament [injury].”
“Then I fall into the management job at Anderlecht, so I’m working with him. I had the same conversation with Mikel and I believe the same thing now.”
Where have things gone wrong for him at Arsenal?
Lokonga never established himself as a regular starter at the Emirates and he was subsequently sent out on loan to Crystal Palace, Luton Town and Sevilla.
The latter club had an option to sign the midfielder for €12m, but injuries limited him to just 23 appearances last season and he returned to London at the beginning of July.
Arsenal bought Lokonga from Anderlecht for £17.2m, and based on what Taylor says, it seems as if the Gunners will be taking a substantial loss to get him off the club’s books. It’s fair to say that he has not really made an impression during his four years in England, and a fresh start is probably best for all parties.
Read more about the Arsenal First Team Squad for 2025/26 here