Anderlecht should sell £18 million star Albert Sambi Lokonga to Arsenal as it would ease the club’s financial problems, former manager and RCSA legend Michel Verschueren has stated on Twitter.
As of this afternoon, the battle to become Arsenal’s first signing of the summer appears to have turned into a two-horse race.
Benfica left-back Nuno Tavares was racing towards the finishing line last week, a five-year deal and £9 million fee agreed. However, reports in Belgium suggest the Portugal U21 international could be pipped at the post by fellow youngster Lokonga.
According to 7Sur7, the Brussels-born 21-year-old has been left out of the squad for Anderlecht’s pre-season clash with AZ Alkmaar.
Will Sambi Lokonga become the first summer signing at Arsenal?
It’s understood Lokonga, who captained the club for much of last season under manager Vincent Kompany, has given a potential switch to north London the green light, with Arsenal expected to pay a fee in the region of £18 million.
And while many will be disappointed to see one of the league’s most promising players depart, Verschueren understands Lokonga’s sale is a necessity.
“Transfer rather today than tomorrow, because that reduces our financial worries,” says a man who led Anderlecht to UEFA Cup glory and 11 Jupiler League titles during a 23-year managerial reign to rival that of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Elegant yet effective, tenacious yet technically gifted, Lokonga has been compared to Borussia Dortmund’s Axel Witsel by Belgium manager Roberto Martinez and should protect Arsenal’s soft underbelly with a sheet of steel.
The youngster would be expected to partner Thomas Partey in Mikel Arteta’s midfield, opening the door for Granit Xhaka to complete his move to Roma.
Anderlecht’s financial problems were laid bare by Newsy recently, having suffered yearly losses of about £30 million.
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