Arsenal are reportedly eyeing Anderlecht starlet Albert Sambi Lokonga for a summer transfer switch.
According to Belgian outlet Nieuwsblad, the Gunners have been tracking the 21-year-old midfielder with a view to a move – two years after first taking a closer look. A move was scuppered in 2019 with the young Belgian electing to pen a new deal with his current employers.
However, it appears that the north Londoners have renewed their interest in Sambi Lokonga and could see him as a cheaper alternative to Brighton & Hove Albion’s Yves Bissouma.
Arsenal have long been linked with a switch for the Malian midfielder and football.london understands that the centre of the pitch is a position in which the Gunners are looking to strengthen heading into next season, especially considering Granit Xhaka’s links to AS Roma in recent weeks.
Evidently, Sambi Lokonga would be considerably cheaper than moving for Bissouma.
According to transfermarkt, the Belgian, who is part of his nation’s reserve list for Euro 2020, is valued at £10.8m. Meanwhile, Bissouma sits at £15.3m but could command an even higher fee with current employers Brighton under no pressure to sell.
Interestingly, the two players’ statistics are very similar indeed – albeit in leagues of varying quality.
As per whoscored, 21-year-old Sambi Lokonga racks up two interceptions per game in the Jupiler Pro League – a higher figure than that of Bissouma at 1.8.
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Meanwhile, the Anderlecht man’s attacking output is also far more convincing having scored three times and notched two assists in the league this season compared to Bissouma’s solitary strike.
The Brighton man does excel considerably in the tackle though, racking up 2.9 per game compared to Sambi Lokonga’s 1.7.
Arsenal remain linked with a variety of midfielders, with Sheffield United’s Sander Berge also a target.