Arsenal set to land first summer signing after agreeing £17m fee
Arsenal are confident of wrapping up a deal to sign Anderlecht midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga this week, with the Gunners close to finalising a £17m move.
The midfielder has been identified the bolster the Gunners’ depleted options in the middle of the park following the departures of Dani Ceballos and Martin Odegaard, while Granit Xhaka is set to follow them through the exit door.
Lokonga, 21, has already agreed personal terms with the Gunners over a move to London but Arsenal have had two bids rejected by the Belgian club for the coveted midfielder, who is attracting interest from Spain.
However, Sky Sports News claim a deal is now close to being finalised for a final fee of around £17m.
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Thierry Henry is said to have recommended the midfielder to the club’s hierarchy and he’s set to be left out of Anderlecht’s pre-season squad in anticipation of his move to the Emirates.
Arteta is interested in signing Wolves ace Ruben Neves, with the Portugal international valued at around £35m by the Midlands club.
Finances are tight at the Gunners this summer and Arteta may have to cash in on the likes of Lucas Torreira, Eddie Nketiah, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Hector Bellerin in order to bolster his budget.