Arsenal have new Albert Lokonga bid rejected with deal imminent

Arsenal will secure the signing of Albert Sambi Lokonga this summer, perhaps in time to become the club’s first addition of the transfer window, even if their second offer has been pushed back by Anderlecht.

Coming up to two weeks since the window officially opened, after a slow start business started heating up with Arsenal making their feelings known on a number of positions. Despite bids being lodged and rejected, the club have been kicking into gear as they look to wrap up priority positions early.

While it’s set up for a busy and expensive summer, it’s still all quiet on the western front. For now. Indeed, the pursuit of Albert Lokonga has been an interesting one in that it’s not a marquee addition, but instead a key building block towards a total squad overhaul.

Matteo Guendouzi, Granit Xhaka and Lucas Torreira are edging closer to the exit door and with Dani Ceballos already gone, as well as Joe Willock potentially, Arsenal have to bolster their central midfield options.

Arsenal have new Albert Lokonga bid rejected by Anderlecht but deal is imminent for Gunners’ first signing in summer transfer window

Seeing a first bid knocked for the 21-year-old, Arsenal have since returned with a second offer as per Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri, who has followed this transfer throughout, but that too has been rejected.

Using information from Sven Claes, the bid was said to be in the region of €14m + €3m in add ons, which has fallen short of Andlerlecht’s €20m. There is, however, no concerns over this deal falling through and having spent time negotiating, the Gunners’ third offer is due to meet the demands of Vincent Kompany’s side and Lokonga will donning red and white soon enough.

Personal terms have been agreed for over a week and whether by the end of the week or the start of the next, the deal will be concluded.

Working on the basis that Lokonga joins and Guendouzi, Torreira, Xhaka and Willock leave, Mikel Arteta will be left with Thomas Partey, Mohamed Elneny and the Belgian as his midfield options. Ainsley Maitland-Niles won’t stay on as a midfielder and while Miguel Azeez will be given his chance throughout the season, he’s unlikely to be in regular Premier League squads.

That’s not a great deal. Especially since two of those players will be jetting off to AFCON in January and out of action for a number of weeks.

How strongly will Arsenal persist with Ruben Neves once Xhaka eventually departs? This is an interesting case to keep an eye on because there should be no doubt in the club’s mind that they sorely need another option in that area who won’t be heading to the tournament, and even then they’re left with two players, one of whom is young and inexperienced.

More work. But one getting closer.