Sambi Lokonga has completed a permanent move to Hamburg in a deal that should net Arsenal a fee, but we’re still waiting on someone to report what that might be.
The Gunners are likely to take a sizeable loss on a player who cost £17 million from Anderlecht in 2021. In truth, he never fully gained the trust of Mikel Arteta and was hindered by a series of injuries.
Lokonga featured regularly in the first half of his debut season, but as opportunities dried up, his confidence waned.
He spent the second half of the 2022/23 campaign on loan at Crystal Palace before enjoying full seasons with Luton Town and Sevilla. Both were relatively successful. Even so, the Spanish side opted not to take up an option to buy, set at €12 million.
Hamburg seem happy with their deal, though. Board member Stefan Kuntz said: “With the signing of Sambi, we are gaining a strong and experienced midfielder.
“He has proven his qualities at the highest levels of play in the Premier League and La Liga over the past few years and will help our team in build-up play and transition play. We are very pleased to welcome him to HSV.”
As for Sambi, he’s excited by the chance to fulfil his potential in a new environment.
“I’ve been given a very warm welcome here and can’t wait to work with these nice people. I’m a team player. I really want to help the team with my qualities – whether through goals, assists, or defensive work. It can start now: I want to get on the field and just play football,” he said.
Good luck to him in Germany.