Arsenal ‘tracking Anderlecht star Albert Sambi Lokonga and Belgian side would command less money than Wolves for £35m Ruben Neves’ as Mikel Arteta looks to bolster his midfield ahead of crucial 2021-22 campaign
- Arsenal are reportedly monitoring Anderlecht star Albert Sambi Lokonga
- The 21-year-old has impressed with the Belgian’s, amassing 50 league games
- Lokonga would add much-needed dynamism and verve to Arsenal’s midfield
- The Gunners have also been linked with a £35m move for Wolves’ Ruben Neves
Arsenal are reportedly tracking Anderlecht star Albert Sambi Lokonga as the Gunners look to bolster their midfield ahead of a pivotal 2021-22 campaign.
The Gunners endured their worst season in recent memory, having failed to qualify for Europe for the first time in 26 years after securing a lowly eighth place finish in the Premier League.
As a result, boss Mikel Arteta is aware that recruitment will be key for Arsenal to bridge the gap to their rivals and return to the European fold next season.
Arsenal have been linked with a move for Albert Sambi Lokonga, according to reports
Mikel Arteta is looking to reinforce his midfield ahead of a crucial 2021-22 campaign
Midfield has been identified as an area that needs strengthening, particularly with enforcer Granit Xhaka linked with a move to Jose Mourinho’s Roma this summer.
The Gunners have been linked with a £35m move for Wolves star Ruben Neves and the Portuguese is viewed as a direct replacement for the Swiss midfielder.
And according to The Athletic, Anderlecht’s Lokonga is also on the club’s radar. Arsenal’s scouting department have tracked the Belgium Under-21 international for some time, who is steadily progressing in his home country.
Lokonga has already made 50 appearances in Belgium’s top flight in the last two seasons and would add much-needed verve and dynamism to the Arsenal midfield.
The Gunners have been linked with a £35m move for Wolves star Ruben Neves this summer
However, dynamic midfielder Lokonga could prove a cheaper alternative for the Gunners
The 21-year-old earned his first call up to Belgium’s senior squad this year and is on Roberto Martinez’s standby list for the Euros. Anderlecht are understood to command a far lower fee than what Wolves expect for Neves.
Arsenal have already missed out on one transfer target this summer, with Norwich City’s Emi Buendia joining Aston Villa instead of the north Londoners in a £40m switch.
Meanwhile, Matteo Guendouzi is a target of French side Marseille after falling out of favour under Arteta. The pair came to blows during a warm weather training camp last year and the young midfielder was shipped out to Hertha Berlin on loan last season.
