Arsenal are close to completing a deal for Anderlecht’s Albert Sambi Lokonga.
On July 9th, we relayed claims from Belgium that the two clubs have ‘smoothed out’ the last details of the operation and the player was expected to undergo medical tests yesterday.
Vincent Kompany’s side are in Alkmaar for a six-day training camp and the 21-year-old wasn’t part of this due to the Gunners’ interest.
La Dernière Heure now state midfielder’s exit is the ‘most awaited departure’ for the Jupiler Pro League side.
It’s claimed that Lokonga underwent his Arsenal medical in the Netherlands on Friday and it was done there because of the quarantine protocols in England.
The deal is expected to go through and the outlet adds Lokonga’s transfer to Arsenal is ‘expected’ to be made official ‘in the coming hours’. Anderlecht will receive a €17.5m fixed fee from the Belgian’s sale.
Meanwhile, Het Laatste Nieuws state Lokonga passed his medical tests yesterday. He has already agreed a five-year contract with Mikel Arteta’s side and if there are no last-minute problems, ‘nothing should stand’ in his way to make a switch to the Emirates.
HLN further add Lokonga must ‘normally be quarantined in England, barring a loophole’.
Arsenal are taking this into account and they are of the belief he may not be able to join his new teammates until they travel to the US on July 21th for the pre-season tour.
