Arsenal to seal Nuno Tavares & Albert Lokonga double transfer

Just shy of three weeks since the summer transfer window opened and Arsenal are closing in their first two signings as deals for Nuno Tavares and Albert Sambi Lokonga are all but wrapped up.

A frustrating period is finally due to see some action, following on from the Gunners’ first departure of the senior squad in Konstantinos Mavropanos. A few deals had been stuck at 95%, but they’ve now tip-toed into 99% territory.

Albert Lokonga has been a matter of time ever since the news broke of Arsenal’s interest. Tracking the midfielder for years with a view to this summer’s actions, everything has been agreed between the parties with the exception of the final detail.

A second bid was turned down by Anderlecht and a third one has now been submitted by Mikel Arteta’s side, this one, as reported by Sacha Tavolieri, being worth €17.5m with bonuses that could add up to around €4m.

Arsenal to seal Nuno Tavares & Albert Sambi Lokonga double transfer as Mikel Arteta nears first signings of summer transfer window

Given Vincent Kompany’s side were originally after €20m in total, if all the add-ons are met then this deal could end up costing Arsenal a touch more.

The last detail to be thrashed out now comes down to the sell-on clause, with the fee in question no longer the sticking point. Anderlecht are after 15% and once that figure has been agreed on Arsenal can, at last, announce their first addition of the summer.

Could someone else pip Lokonga to the post?

Sky Italy’s Gianluca Di Marzio concurs the news that Lokonga is as good as a done deal but adds in that Nuno Tavares will be wrapped up as soon as ‘this week’.

With player sales due to have been the priority case after edging closer (there’s that phrase again) to Ben White and Lokonga, Arsenal have sniffed out a deal with Benfica under relative secrecy.

A story that gathered momentum very quickly once the news broke, Tavares went from being a relative unknown over in the Premier League to target number one for the Gunners who have sounded out their Kieran Tierney backup.

An exceedingly difficult profile to obtain due to the obvious caveat of limited playing time any incoming left-back would have upon joining Arsenal, this deal looks to be pulled off surprisingly quick if it is completed this week as expected. Ah, it’s because Napoli were interested. That’s why.

Regarding the fee in question, following on from reports in England that the 21-year-old could cost as little as £6m, Fabrizio Romano has provided new updates that a €8m guaranteed fee has been agreed with some add-ons on top of that. Personal terms and agent fees have been concluded and he will sign a five-year deal until 2026.

Is this smart business from Arsenal?

Continued…

Nuno Tavares & Albert Lokonga Are Smart Arsenal Business

Are these two signings to be excited about? The only way to answer that is potentially. Neither are going to be regular starters for Arsenal next season and likely both arrive as Tierney and Thomas Partey backup options.

The noises coming out of Belgium are that Lokonga is the real deal. A progressive passer as well as a progressive carrier, Arteta is good friends with both Kompany and Roberto Martinez, hearing nothing but glowing praise on top of already extensive scouting. Throw in Thierry Henry’s adoration and the midfielder arrives on excellent terms.

Depending on how the window pans out, Lokonga could be in line for more appearances that initially expected. Unlikely to partner Partey, when the Ghanaian jets off to AFCON and when domestic cup matches come around, his chance will arrive to impress.

Furthermore, if Arsenal struggle to nail down their preferred midfield targets this window, and sell the likes of Mohamed Elneny, he could be in line for even greater involvement. Partey’s injury record over the past 12 months isn’t great either.

Lokonga is a prospect, but a highly rated one and he will arrive in precisely the age bracket Arsenal have been looking for.

Just like Tavares, the two 21-year-old’s have excellent development potential to add to their already well-documented talent; players in the earlier stages of their careers who can make a long-term contribution.

The Portuguese left-back has an outstanding engine and explosive attacking output but needs nurturing and will require plenty of coaching to improve his weaknesses in defensive positioning. Tactically there will need to be work done and Arteta clearly feels that’s a job he can perform.

Tavares’ arrives with one concern, regarding his attitude. For a manager who has ostracised certain members of his squad who don’t adhere to his non-negotiables, the background noise around Tavares is either blown out of proportion or considered to be manageable.

Having gone from another stop-gap addition in Ryan Bertrand to someone ten years his junior in Tavares, the sudden change in target and the shift away from lazy, simple deals is comforting – even if Bertrand probably would have arrived if he didn’t favour Leicester.

A problem position solved with a young player on a long-term contract for a minimal fee? It’s the stuff of dreams.