Arsenal agree to part ways with Albert Sambi Lokonga after talks over future
Arsenal and Albert Sambi Lokonga have agreed to part ways this summer after holding talks over the Belgian's future.
Lokonga spent this season on loan at Luton and is ready to leave permanently in search of first-team football.
Luton would love to keep the midfielder, but their chances appear slim after they were relegated from the Premier League.
Lokonga will hope to attract plenty of interest this summer after putting in some impressive performances over the course of the season.
The 24-year-old formed a good partnership with Ross Barkley in Luton’s midfield, earning praise from former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.
“Lokonga, when you see him playing and you think: ‘Oh, he’s an Arsenal player and they loaned him?’ Interesting,” Klopp said in February ahead of Liverpool’s game with Luton.
Lokonga joined Arsenal in 2021 from Anderlecht for around £15million, but he has struggled to make an impact.
The midfielder has found his chances limited under Mikel Arteta and spent the second half of the 2022-23 season on loan at Crystal Palace.
It was made clear to Lokonga last summer that he would not be part of Arsenal’s first-team plans and there was early interest from Burnley in him.
Luton, however, arrived late in the transfer window to sign him and won the race for him after a pitch from manager Rob Edwards at his house.
Lokonga has since had talks with Arsenal ahead of this summer, with all parties agreeing it is best to part ways now.
