Luton Town are working on a deal to sign Arsenal midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga ahead of tonight’s transfer deadline.
Arsenal midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga could join Premier League rivals Luton before the transfer window slams shut.
Sky Sports reporter Jamie Weir is operating from Kenilworth Road on deadline day, ahead of Luton’s game against West Ham United tonight.
Weir noted that he spoke to Luton chief executive Gary Sweet as he deals with the club’s first Premier League home game and the stress of deadline day.
Weir did though admit that Sweet informed him of negotiations to sign Arsenal midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga on loan ahead of the deadline.
“I’ve just bumped into the chief executive Gary Sweet down the touchline, he looks pretty stressed, as you can imagine,” said Weir. “He’s trying to deal with the first game at Kenilworth Road whilst there is still building work going on and transfer deadline day, he says he’s a busy man, he’s still dealing with a few bits and bobs. Albert Sambi Lokonga on loan from Arsenal is something that they’re in negotiations with at the moment,” he added.
Sky Sports also spoke to reporter Gary Cotterill, who is covering Arsenal’s business ahead of the window closing.
Cotterill claims that Lokonga’s proposed move to Arsenal is now ‘nearing completion’ with the deadline just hours away.
“Albert Sambi Lokonga, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Crystal Palace, I understand the move for him to go on loan to Luton is nearing completion,” said Cotterill.
Albert Sambi Lokonga needs move away from Arsenal
This is a deal which simply had to happen before the window shut.
Lokonga clearly isn’t in Mikel Arteta’s plans and risked playing next to no football before the January window.
The Belgian had a similar experience in the first half of last season as he became a fringe player before joining Palace on loan.
Lokonga needs the momentum and consistency of a full season away from Arsenal in order to play regularly and develop his game.
Signed from Anderlecht for around £15million in 2021, Lokonga initially showed real promise but faded out of the Arsenal picture.
Lokonga may well be sold in 2024 but playing regularly for Luton is a great step for his development and will hopefully serve him well going forward.
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