Arsenal - Andrea Berta
Image credit: Getty Images
As the 2025 summer transfer window closed on September 1, Arsenal emerged as one of the Premier League’s biggest spenders, reinforcing Mikel Arteta’s ambitions to mount a serious title challenge this season.
With a net spend surpassing £250 million, the Gunners invested heavily in strengthening their midfield, defence, and attack, while also streamlining the squad with a series of exits. Sporting director Andrea Berta, overseeing her first full window at the Emirates, played a key role in addressing long-standing squad needs and providing depth to cover injuries and tactical rotations.
In total, 13 players departed the club through a combination of permanent deals, loans, and free transfers including Albert Sambi Lokonga move to Germany with Hamburger SV.
READ MORE: The loan fee Porto paid Arsenal for defender Jakub Kiwior
According toBILD Hamburg, the Bundesliga side secured the 25-year-old Belgian international for just €300,000 in compensation, with additional performance-related bonuses included. Lokonga signed a four-year contract running until June 30, 2028, marking the end of a challenging four-year stint in North London after joining Arsenal from Anderlecht in 2021 for €17.5 million.
Despite arriving with high expectations, Lokonga never fully established himself under Arteta, making only 39 appearances for the Gunners and spending loan spells at Crystal Palace, Luton Town, and Sevilla. Sevilla, where he featured prominently last season, opted against triggering their €12 million option to buy earlier this summer.
Albert Sambi Lokonga - Hamburg
Albert Sambi Lokonga (Image credit: Hamburg)
Hamburg’s sporting director Claus Costa praised the signing, calling Lokonga “a technically strong player who has an excellent passing game, especially in depth.”
Lokonga, who will wear the number six shirt, expressed his excitement about the move: “I really want to help the team with my qualities, whether through goals, assists, or defensive work,” the midfielder said.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE NOW ARSENAL WHATSAPP GROUP CHAT NOW!
Board member Stefan Kuntz echoed the optimism, adding, “He should help our team in the build-up of the game,” as Hamburg aim to improve their form after starting the Bundesliga season with a draw and a loss.
The low transfer fee, significantly below Lokonga’s €8 million market valuation, highlights both Hamburg’s negotiation skills and Arsenal’s urgency to trim their squad. The club had activated a one-year extension in Lokonga’s contract earlier this summer to avoid losing him on a free transfer in 2026, but ultimately accepted a cut-price deal.
Lokonga won’t be the only Arsenal player in Hamburg this season. Midfielder Fabio Vieira also joined the German club on loan, with an option to buy included in the agreement. The duo’s experience in Premier League and La Liga football is expected to provide a major boost to Hamburg’s midfield under head coach Merlin Polzin, with Lokonga in line to make his debut against Bayern Munich after the international break.
NEXT ARTICLE: Piero Hincapie reveals his best position after completing Arsenal move