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Arsenal set to agree deal to sign 22-year-old star as Arteta kicks-off summer overhaul

By on June 28, 2021

According to Belgian outlet HLN, Arsenal expect to finally agree terms to sign £17m-rated midfielder Albert Lokonga following weeks of negotiations with Anderlecht.

Mikel Arteta is plotting a squad overhaul this summer following another disappointing campaign and midfield is going to be revamped with Granit Xhaka, Lucas Torreira, Matteo Guendouzi and Joe Willock expected to leave.

Dani Ceballos and Martin Odegaard have also returned to Real Madrid after their loan spells came to an end so Arsenal need to bring in at least two midfielders and Lokonga has emerged as a prime target in recent weeks.

Belgian outlet HLN says that Arsenal have been locked in talks with Anderlecht for weeks and have already seen an opening offer worth £14.5m [€17m] including add-ons rejected by the Jupiler Pro League side.

However, the end is almost in sight as HLN claims Anderlecht are resigned to losing Lokonga and won’t stand in his way as long as we agree to pay £17m [€20m] guaranteed for the talented midfielder.

According to the report, Arsenal chiefs believe a deal will be agreed ‘soon’ and Lokonga isn’t expected to report back to Anderlecht for pre-season training having already agreed personal terms over a move to the Emirates.

So it looks as though Arsenal are closing-in on a deal to sign Lokonga with Anderlecht ready to cash in on the 22-year-old as he’ll have just 12 months remaining on his contract next summer.

Lokonga is considered to be one of the best young talents in Belgian football and was named on the stand-by list for the senior Euro 2020 squad so it sounds like he has a bright future ahead of him.

He fits the mould of a Thomas Partey type player rather than Xhaka so I expect another midfielder to arrive to act as a direct replacement should the Swiss international complete his proposed move to Italy.

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