MX23RW : Thursday, November 28 12:25:53| >> :60:620:620:

Albert Sambi Lokonga against summer Arsenal exit?

Sambi Lokonga against summer Arsenal exit?
© Reuters
Midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga is reportedly against an exit from Arsenal during the summer transfer window.

Albert Sambi Lokonga would reportedly prefer to remain at Arsenal for the 2022-23 campaign.

Last summer, the midfielder left Anderlecht to join the Gunners on a five-year contract, the deal costing the Premier League outfit in the region of £17m.

However, while big things were expected from the 22-year-old, he was provided with just 12 starts in the Premier League, his last coming on April 16.

Since the end of the campaign, it has been suggested that Sambi Lokonga would be allowed to depart on loan in order to gain regular first-team football.

Nevertheless, according to football.london, the Belgium international wants to stay at the Emirates Stadium for next season.

Mikel Arteta in charge of Arsenal in May 2022© Reuters

The report claims that the player would prefer to try to impress Mikel Arteta, rather than spending a year out of the loop at another club.

As it stands, Sambi Lokonga is regarded as fourth choice in the middle of the pitch, behind Granit Xhaka, Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny.

However, Fabio Vieira, who is a more attack-minded option, is on the brink of sealing a switch to North London from Porto, that transfer expected to be confirmed by Arsenal over the coming days.

Furthermore, Arsenal have been consistently linked with several other midfielders, including Leicester City's Youri Tielemans who has just a year left on his contract.

The report adds that Arsenal may take the opportunity to use Sambi Lokonga in the Europa League, providing him with the platform to make a bigger impact.

Leeds United's Raphinha celebrates scoring their first goal on May 22, 2022© Reuters

Much could depend on how Arsenal approach trying to make further additions in the final third, the club currently being credited with big-money bids for Raphinha and Gabriel Jesus.

On Monday, it was claimed that Arsenal may pay in excess of £50m to sign the former from Leeds United, the development being somewhat of a surprise because of the alleged interest in the latter.

With Alexandre Lacazette having departed on a free transfer, Arteta requires a replacement, and the general consensus is that Jesus was his preferred target.

As it stands, though, it is unclear whether Arsenal will prioritise getting a deal over the line for Raphinha or his Brazilian compatriot, who is expected to cost slightly less money.

ID:488524:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5009:

Click here for more stories about Albert Sambi Lokonga

Click here for more stories about Arsenal

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Leicester City's Youri Tielemans reacts on March 10, 2022
Read Next:
Tielemans 'not considering Leicester contract extension'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Fulham125341717018
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle125341313018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham124351519-415
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!