David Ornstein explains how Albert Sambi Lokonga has made a decision which has cost Arsenal money

Albert Sambi Lokonga has just done something that must have annoyed Arsenal.

The Gunners have suddenly become very busy on the transfer market. There is a lot of movement at the Emirates, with Mikel Arteta and Edu Gaspar working hard to bring in new signings as well as push some of their current players out of the door.

Mika Biereth has moved to Sturm Graz on a permanent deal, while Nuno Tavares is on the verge of joining Lazio on a loan deal that will be made permanent in 2025.

Lokonga is on the way out as well – he’s off to Spain to join Sevilla.

Albert Sambi Lokonga has cost Arsenal money

Arsenal signed Lokonga from Belgian side Anderlecht in the summer of 2021.

The talented midfielder had a good start to life at the Emirates. He impressed everyone in his first few games for the club, but things completely changed in 2022.

Lokonga had a terrible second half of the season and quickly fell down the pecking order. He joined Crystal Palace on loan in January 2023 and then spent a whole season at Luton Town last campaign.

Despite some decent performances there, there is no future at the Emirates for Lokonga, who is on the verge of joining Sevilla.

David Ornstein has confirmed the above on X, and the journalist has revealed that he will be joining the Spanish club on loan with an option to make the move permanent for a fee in the region of £10 million next year.

That is a poor deal when you consider that Arsenal paid almost twice as much to sign him back in 2021. What makes it even more annoying is that the Gunners could’ve secured a bigger fee for him now.

Ornstein has revealed that Italian side Fiorentina wanted Lokonga too and were prepared to make a superior offer than Sevilla to sign him.

Arsenal would’ve obviously preferred that, but Lokonga made it clear that he only wanted to join Sevilla. That forced the Gunners to accept the less lucrative deal.

Ornstein tweeted: “Arsenal have 25% sell-on clause in Sevilla deal for Albert Sambi Lokonga. Applies if loan from #AFC turns permanent (€12m option) & midfielder sold in future.

“Fiorentina prepared higher bid but 24yo only wanted #SevillaFC. Medical Friday”

Arsenal could have a real problem in 2025

Sevilla have been really smart in negotiations with Arsenal.

The Spanish side didn’t want an obligation clause in the deal that would’ve forced them to sign Lokonga permanently in the summer of 2025. They have, however, retained an option to do so.

That puts them in a great position because if Lokonga has a very good season, they can sign him for just £10 million. If he doesn’t, they’ll just send him back to Arsenal who might struggle to even get that fee elsewhere.

That’s not ideal at all for the Gunners, who may find themselves in a situation where they’ll have to accept an even bigger loss on Lokonga in the summer of 2025, when he’ll have just one year left on his contract.