ARSENAL flop Albert Sambi Lokonga is set for a summer return to the Emirates after suffering his fourth injury of the season during his loan stint at Sevilla.
Lokonga, 25, joined the Andalusian outfit in July for the 2024-25 campaign in a deal that includes a £10.25million buy option.
According to The Mirror, however, the LaLiga giants are unlikely to trigger that option due to persistent hamstring issues that have limited the midfielder to just 21 appearances across all competitions.
That poses as a blow for the Gunners, who wish to raise funds to bolster their transfer budget for the summer market.
Had that figure been met, the North Londoners would have also inherited a 25 per cent sell-on clause.
The same source suggests Sevilla tried to negotiate a lower release clause.
However, chances of a permanent deal are growing slimmer after yet another injury setback
Lokonga’s contract with Arsenal runs out in 2026, which means the Premier League giants will be determined to offload him one way or another this summer.
That is because – as per the same source – there is no way back for the ex-Anderlecht star into Mikel Arteta’s first team.
Nevertheless, the loan deal with Sevilla is paying off as it’s the Spaniards who are covering Lokonga’s wages.
Back in February, the player stated his desire to stay at Sevilla after turning down multiple offers from other clubs last summer.
Lokonga said: “I feel very good. I’m growing. I feel better with each game.
“After leaving Anderlecht, Sevilla is the club where I feel very, very good.
“I want to stay but it’s not just my decision. It’s early days and we’ll see each other at the end of the year.”
Lokonga also underwent two uneventful loan stints at Crystal Palace and Luton Town these past couple of years.
The Belgian counts a total of 39 appearances at Arsenal since his arrival in 2021.
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