Arsenal appear close to making their first significant signing of the summer after agreeing personal terms with one of their targets.
According to Belgian football journalist Sven Claes, Arsenal have made a new second bid for Albert Sami Lokonga. This new bid is worth €14million + €3million in bonuses. Sven doesn’t clarify if this bid has been accepted or rejected.
Arsenal have already seen a bid worth €15million rejected by Anderlecht. It is thought that the Belgian club are looking for €20million for their captain.
The clubs remain not far apart in their valuations, but Arsenal will want to seal a deal for the 21-year-old before other interested parties potentially pay the asking price.
The good news for Arsenal is that Sven also says in his tweet that the player has already agreed personal terms with Arsenal. Therefore once the clubs come to an agreement on a fee, the deal should be completed very quickly.
Lokonga is captain of Anderlecht at just 21 years old and according to WhoScored, has very strong passing qualities, as well as dribbling and interception skills. They list him as having ‘no significant weaknesses’.
With Granit Xhaka expected to join Roma and Dani Ceballos returning to Real Madrid, Arsenal need to sign a couple of central midfielders this summer and it appears Lokonga will become the first arrival.