Arsenal are poised for a late transfer window surprise as sporting director Andrea Berta works to secure a fee for midfielder Sambi Lokonga, a player who hasn’t featured for the Gunners since January 2023. The Belgian, once hailed as ‘brilliant’ for his ball-carrying and passing abilities, is reportedly close to a permanent move to German side Hamburg, marking an unexpected financial return for a player many Arsenal fans had written off.
A Forgotten Talent
Lokonga, 25, has spent the last two years on loan at Crystal Palace, Luton, and Sevilla, struggling with injuries and inconsistent form. With his contract at the Emirates set to expire in 12 months, his time in North London appeared to be drawing to a close with little hope of recouping a transfer fee. However, Berta’s shrewd negotiations have turned the tide, with Hamburg emerging as frontrunners to sign the midfielder for a modest sum, estimated to be between £3 million and £6 million.
Despite interest from Turkish side Trabzonspor and Greek outfit PAOK, Lokonga has expressed a preference for Hamburg. The German club’s interest is a coup for Arsenal, given Lokonga’s limited suitors and his high wages of £50,000 per week, which would make him Hamburg’s highest earner by a significant margin. For the deal to materialize, Lokonga may need to show flexibility with his salary demands, but the prospect of regular football in Germany’s 2. Bundesliga could be a tempting opportunity for the midfielder to revive his career.
Arsenal’s Transfer Window Overhaul
This move comes as part of a broader squad reshaping at Arsenal, who have invested heavily in the transfer market this summer, spending over £250 million on seven new signings. The latest addition, Bayer Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapie, is set to join on loan with an option to buy, paving the way for Jakub Kiwior’s expected departure to Porto. Four other players are also rumored to be on their way out as Arsenal aim to streamline their squad before the transfer window closes on Monday.
Lokonga’s potential exit is particularly significant, as his lack of defensive output and persistent injury issues had left him surplus to requirements under Mikel Arteta. Training with the first team in recent weeks, Lokonga has been aware that his future lies away from the Emirates, and Berta’s ability to secure a fee for the midfielder highlights the club’s strategic approach to managing their squad.
A Modest Fee for a ‘Brilliant’ Player
While Lokonga’s qualities as an effective ball carrier and deep-lying passer earned him praise earlier in his career, his inability to contribute defensively and stay fit has limited his impact at Arsenal. The expected transfer fee, though modest, represents a small victory for the Gunners, who had little leverage given his contract situation and wage demands. For Hamburg, the signing of a player with Lokonga’s potential could prove a bargain if he can overcome his injury concerns and adapt to a new environment.
As the transfer window deadline looms, Arsenal fans will be watching closely to see how Berta’s final moves unfold. Securing a fee for a player absent from the first team for over two years is no small feat, and it underscores the club’s determination to maximize value from their squad. For Lokonga, the move to Hamburg offers a fresh start and a chance to rediscover the form that once made him a highly-rated prospect.