Arsenal miss out on £10m transfer windfall as Andrea Berta faces unwanted complication

Albert Sambi Lokonga has confirmed that Sevilla will not be exercising the purchase option in their loan agreement with Arsenal. Joining the Spanish club on a season-long loan deal last July, the side from Andalusia do have the option to buy the midfielder on a permanent basis for around £10million this summer.

In his third successive loan spell away from the Emirates Stadium, Lokonga endured a mixed season with a number of injury issues leaving him on the sidelines at various points across the campaign. The 25-year-old was limited to 23 appearances in all competitions for Sevilla, with 16 of those starts in La Liga.

It was a season to forget for the club as they finished 17th, one point above the relegation zone. Needing to get back to their previous heights and challenge towards the top of La Liga once again, Sevilla will have to make some smart acquisitions to ensure they do not find themselves in a similar position or even worse next May.

Lokonga appears keen to join Sevilla on a permanent basis but it will not be for the purchase option price that was agreed last year. That in turn means Andrea Berta and Mikel Arteta will miss out on that transfer windfall and instead have to try and sell the player for as much money as possible before the summer deadline.

“No, €12m isn’t possible,” he said in an interview with Belgium’s La Derniere Heure (via Sport Witness). “It’s also up to them to negotiate with Arsenal and show they want me.

“But I haven’t spoken with Sevilla yet because there are still many questions at several levels within the club. It’s not ideal on paper, but I know Sevilla wants to move forward. I like the fact that we have to build something.”

Lokonga will return to the Emirates Stadium at the start of July with one year remaining on his Arsenal contract. Staying in north London and becoming part of Arteta’s plans in 2025/26 is something the player does not envisage as he admitted it will now be easier to move permanently due to fact he will be in the last 12 months of his contract.

“It’ll be difficult, I think. I think I’m ready for something new,” admitted Lokonga. “For now, I have no idea [where my future will be]. I’m not closing any doors while waiting for something interesting to come up.

“I enjoyed moving around like this, especially since I didn’t have to move during my first two loan spells because I was already living in London. But I want to find a club where I can stay for two or three years. The fact that I have one year left on my contract makes it easier to move.”