Arsenal midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga could be on his way to Crystal Palace with a loan deal being chased ahead of the deadline.
That’s according to 90Min (10:40am), who claim that Palace are ‘close’ to finalising a deal to take Lokonga on loan for the rest of the season.
Patrick Vieira wants to bolster his midfield options at Selhurst Park and have now targeted a deal for Lokonga.
Stuttgart midfielder Naouirou Ahamada has been having a medical with Palace ahead of a £9.7million move to South London.
Palace aren’t done yet though and now want to bring in Lokonga too as they look to give him first-team minutes.
Arsenal appear to be open to a deal with Lokonga potentially set to go and learn under Gunners legend Vieira.
If Lokonga can come back to North London even half the player Vieira was, this loan will have been perfect.
Jorginho deal means Albert Sambi Lokonga must leave Arsenal on loan
Lokonga, 21, was seen as a huge talent for the future when he joined Arsenal from Anderlecht in 2021.
Vincent Kompany had called Lokonga ‘special’ and compared him to former Manchester City teammate Yaya Toure.
Lokonga started well at Arsenal but his development has been stunted this season.
The Belgian just hasn’t looked at home in the lone holding role in Mikel Arteta’s 4-3-3 setup and hasn’t really fared any better in an advance role.
Lokonga doesn’t quite have the defensive awareness just yet to play that lone holding role and isn’t much of a threat going forward.
Lokonga now really needs to go and play regularly and come back to Arsenal a better player in the summer.
Arsenal are set to sign Chelsea midfielder Jorginho for £12million, meaning Lokonga’s chance of first-team action are slim.
A loan to Palace should be ideal for Lokonga, who must now go and prove that he has a long-term future at the Emirates Stadium.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
