Arsenal tracking £13m-rated Anderlecht midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga as cheaper alternative to Yves Bissouma transfer
ARSENAL are reportedly eyeing up a summer swoop for Anderlecht’s highly-rated midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga.
Mikel Arteta is understood to be keen to bolster his midfield with a number of players expected to depart as he looks to shake up his squad.
Swiss international Granit Xhaka has been heavily linked with a move to Roma with Jose Mourinho determined to make him his first signing.
Meanwhile Matteo Guendouzi is claimed to have agreed a move back to France to join Ligue 1 giants Marseille.
And Lucas Torreira – who has spent the last season on loan at Atletico Madrid – is expected to be offloaded having failed to win over Arteta.
Arsenal have been closely monitoring Brighton’s Yves Bissouma to partner Thomas Partey in the middle of the pitch.
The Mali international could cost around £40m, and Belgian news outlet Nieuwsblad have stated that Anderlecht starlet Sambi Lokongo would be a cheaper alternative.
They have revealed that the Gunners are long-term admirers of the 21-year-old having been interested in him since 2019.
With just one year left on his contract, Anderlecht are willing to part ways should they receive an offer between £13m-£17m.
Sambi Lokongo is on Belgium’s reserve squad list for Euro 2020 after impressing for Anderlecht during the 2020-21 campaign.
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He appeared in 37 games in all competitions where he chipped in with three goals and as many assists.
The player declared last month that he was ready for a new challenge in his career after announcing his desire to leave.
He said: “It will all have to become apparent in the coming weeks, but it may well be that I am leaving
“I feel ready for a higher level and I am looking forward to it. We shall see. I only go if it concerns a club that is clearly better than Anderlecht.
“Maybe I am leaving, but at the same time I am not in a hurry to leave.
“Only if all the ingredients are present, it may be possible to leave.”