Arsenal are getting closer to their first summer signing in Anderlecht Albert Sambi Lokonga.
The Gunners saw their original strategy, rumored to be worth £ 13 million, rejected by the Belgians, but there is a willingness on both sides to close a deal and after reporting personal terms with the midfielder, an improved offer is said to be imminent.
One of Mikel Arteta’s priorities this summer is to strengthen the midfield after Dani Ceballos and Martin Odegaard returned to Real Madrid after their loans. Granit Xhaka is strongly linked with a move to Roma and Arsenal may need to bring in some midfielders.
Lokonga is likely one of a number of players coming to the Emirates Stadium this summer after 90 minutes revealed the club’s plan to spend big this summer.
If you are a casual viewer of the Belgian Jupiler Pro League, here are some things you probably did not know about Anderlecht captain.
Lokonga suffered a cruciate ligament injury 2018 / JOHN THYS / Getty Images
Lokonga suffered a cruciate ligament injury as early as 2018 and although he seems to have fully recovered, it is the type of injury that clubs tend to approach with caution during the medical process before spending heavily on a player.
He spent 206 days on the side as a result of the injury but there is no evidence that it has affected his physical level. He is incredibly mobile and does not seem to suffer from any long-term effects, but you can be sure that Arsenal will do their best with regard to the above-mentioned injury.
His current boss Vincent Kompany has identified defensive work as an area where Lokonga still needs to be improved / BSR Agency / Getty Images
Manchester City legend and Anderlecht boss Vincent Kompany has previously suggested that Lokonga still needs to be improved defensively.
When he was only 21 years old, he must have a number of development areas and the catch of the midfielder would be for the future as opposed to him coming as a complete player.
His ability to read the game allows him to make wiretaps frequently but he may be a bit rash in the challenge and needs to improve his “individual duels”, according to his current boss.
Lokonga was named captain of Vincent Kompany / Sylvain Lefevre / Getty Images
Lokonga’s confidence in his own ability is clear to everyone to see. He demands the ball even in pressure situations and backs himself to dribble out of tight spaces.
Although he has sometimes been accused of choosing the safe option when it comes to his passing, he is not afraid to try to split defense with ambitious balls from deep areas and if he does not succeed at first, he just tries again. That is partly why he got the captain in just 21 years.
Lokonga’s all-action style of play is reminiscent of Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira / Sylvain Lefevre / Getty Images
We do not compare him with Patrick Vieira, no one compares with the Arsenal great. However, there is something about Lokonga in full flow that is reminiscent of the former midfielder.
His long stride and the elegance with which he carries the ball are where the comparison comes from and if he can continue to be half of the player Vieira was, he will love Gunners faithful in no time.
A number of European clubs have been credited with interest in Lokonga / Sylvain Lefevre / Getty Images
Arsenal are not the only club that has kept track of the Belgians, with Paris Saint-Germain, Lille and Atalanta all having previously been linked with a move to the midfielder.
However, none of the previously mentioned clubs have gone so far as to submit an official bid for the player. Anderlecht are in a difficult place financially and that is apparently why they are willing to let Lokonga join the Gunners.
