Albert Sambi Lokonga
Arsenal revive interest in Borussia Monchengladbach star
Arsenal are interested to sign Denis Zakaria who is currently on the books of Borussia Monchengladbach, according to reports. The 24-year-old’s current contract is set to expire at the end of the 2021-22 season. This means that the Swiss footballer could sign a pre-contract agreement with clubs outside Germany in January. It is said that he is unlikely to extend his stay at Borussia Park, with the Bundesliga side facing the prospect of losing him for free in the summer. The Gunners were credited with an interest in the 24-year-old in the previous summer transfer window but he stayed put at Die Fohlen. However, the Premier League outfit are ready to revive their interest in the talented midfielder. According to reputed journalist Christian Falk (via Sport Witne...
‘Ready to start’, ‘Superb’: Some Arsenal fans praise ‘exceptional’ player after Tottenham defeat
A selection of Arsenal fans on Twitter heaped praise on Albert Sambi Lokonga following a solid midfield display against Tottenham Hotspur. The Belgian joined the Gunners from Anderlecht as a relatively unknown, but he has earned plenty of plaudits from the fans during pre-season. With Thomas Partey’s injury, he was picked to start alongside Granit Xhaka against Spurs. The 21-year-old made a good impression in his 73 minutes. He showed excellent ball control in the centre of the park. He displaced just one of his 32 passes attempted in the opening half of the friendly. The derby result did not go in the Gunners’ favour with a 1-0 defeat. They could have quite easily lost by a bigger margin on some other day. However, Lokonga’s performance was one of the big positives from the game. Some of ...
€21m star undergoes successful medical with Arsenal, transfer to be completed soon – report
Anderlecht midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga has had a successful medical in Belgium ahead of his expected transfer to Arsenal this month. The Gunners have agreed an initial €17.5 million fee for the 21-year-old. The deal could rise to €21m with the performance-based add-ons involved. It was reported yesterday that a medical was being planned, and reputed Belgian journalist Sven Claes has now confirmed that Lokonga has passed the tests. Sportslens view: The Gunners are on the cusp of announcing the arrival of Nuno Tavares from Benfica, and Lokonga’s transfer could also be confirmed soon. He may have to quarantine on his arrival in the English capital. It appears unlikely that he will be involved with the Gunners in their pre-season camp in Scotland. Meanwhile, the signing of the Be...
Fabrizio Romano says midfielder ‘only wants Arsenal’ amid interest from Champions League club
Anderlecht midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga is determined to make the switch to Arsenal during this summer’s transfer window, reputed journalist Fabrizio Romano reports. The Gunners are planning a spending spree this summer after a disappointing 2020/21 campaign where they finished eighth in the Premier League. Granit Xhaka, Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi have been linked with summer exits, and the club could bring in more than one central midfielder. The Gunners recently failed with an opening bid worth £13 million for Lokonga. They are expected to come in with a fresh proposal in the coming days. Serie A club Atalanta have also made an approach for his services, but the Belgium youth international has opted to snub their advances. As per Romano, the 21-year-old ‘only wants Arsen...
Arsenal in advanced negotiations for Belgian star, player has agreed personal terms – report
Arsenal have agreed personal terms with midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga, and they are now in advanced negotiations with Anderlecht over the transfer fee, Football Insider claims. The Gunners are planning a major squad rebuild this summer, and there are looking at the possibility of signing more than one central midfielder. They have been linked with Ruben Neves and Yves Bissouma in recent weeks, but Lokonga has emerged as the prime midfield transfer target. The club recently failed with an opening bid worth £13 million for the Belgium international. It was reportedly short of Anderlecht’s £17m asking price. It is now reported that the player has agreed terms over a contract, and the Gunners are aiming to use add-ons to convince Anderlecht over a deal. Sportslens view: The Gunners...
Arsenal ‘working hard’ to secure double deals, bids made already – report
Arsenal are ‘working hard’ to secure deals for Ben White and Albert Sambi Lokong, according to The Standard. The Gunners are heavily interested in White following his impressive season with Brighton & Hove Albion. The north London club have already submitted a £40 million bid, but it was rejected by Brighton. They want a fee in the region of £50m for the England defender. Earlier this week, The Athletic claimed that the Gunners have made a formal offer for Lokonga. The Gunners are keen to bolster their midfield this summer and have earmarked the 21-year-old Anderlecht star as a potential option. Arsenal submitted an opening offer of €15 million (£12m), but the Belgian club want a guaranteed fee of €20m (£17m). Other Arsenal targets The Gunners are also looking ...
‘There is a deal to be struck’ – Ornstein provides latest update on €20m Arsenal target
Arsenal have reportedly made a formal move for Albert Sambi Lokonga. The Gunners are keen to bolster their midfield this summer and have made a formal move for the Anderlecht midfielder. According to reports from The Athletic, the 21-year-old midfielder has been on Arsenal’s radar for some time. He has impressed heavily in the Jupiter Pro League, making 50 first-team appearances in the last two seasons. A few weeks ago, Arsenal made an enquiry about Lokonga. They have now come up with a formal bid – an opening offer of €15m (£12m) – for the Anderlecht midfielder. The Belgian club want a guaranteed fee of €20m (£17m) for the youngster. Arsenal just need to improve their offer to secure his signature. David Ornstein of The Athletic has claimed that ‘there is a deal to be...
Paul Onuachu wins Ebony Shoe Award for Best African Player in Belgium
Paul Onuachu has won the Ebony Shoe award for the Best African player In Belgium for the 2020/21 season, reports Completesports.com. The Nigeria international succeeded Antwerp and Congo Democratic Republic forward Dieurmaci Mbokani as the winner of this year’s award. The 27-year-old was top scorer in the Belgian Pro-League with 29 goals in 33 appearances. He scored four times in five games in the Jupiler Pro League PlayOff and once in the Beker van Belgie to bring his total tally to 35 in 41 games. The striker is the fifth Nigerian to win the award after Daniel Amiokachi (1992,1994), Victor Ikpeba (1993), Godwin Okapara (1995) and Celestine Babayaro (1996). Onuachu beats his Genk teammate Théo Bongonda who scored 18 goals and bagged six appearances in 39 games in all competitions; RSC And...
