AS Roma eyeing up a move for Arsenal’s Albert Sambia Lokonga

Jose Mourinho is eyeing a move for Albert Sambi Lokonga after a severe injury to Georginio Wijnaldum, but Arsenal may not entertain an approach.

According to Daily Express, Jose Mourinho is eyeing an emergency midfield signing and remains keen on Arsenal’s Albert Sambi Lokonga. Mikel Arteta may not allow the Belgian midfielder to depart at this stage of the window, mainly when their pursuit of Youri Tielemans is in jeopardy.

Albert Sambi Lokonga made a lasting impression on Mikel Arteta after Arsenal signed him from Anderlecht last summer. He was one of the six significant signings that arrived as part of a major rebuild. Last season, injuries to Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey allowed him ample game time initially, wherein he was good.

Arsenal consider him a future star as Arteta remains keen to nurture his talents in the background. Much has been reported in the media regarding his unhappiness at the club, which the player’s agent clarified in the summer as a false narrative.

As far as regular game time is concerned, Lokonga is not getting much, which has once more fuelled speculations regarding his future late in the window. Some early links to AC Milan proved fruitless, and once more, new connections are emerging in Serie A, this time to AS Roma.

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The report reckons Jose Mourinho would like to make an ’emergency’ signing and has earmarked Lokonga as the desired player. The reason is the latest injury to summer arrival Georginio Wijnaldum.

The Dutch international suffered a severe problem, which will keep him out for the remainder of the year. It certainly is a blow for Mourinho and his plans for the season. To offset the damage, Roma are keen on signing Lokonga and would like a loan deal to be completed before the transfer window shuts.

Arsenal, however, may not be inclined with their views, as Arteta would like to keep hold of the midfielder. Some other recent stories insisted the Belgian could be allowed time out on loan if the Gunners secure the signing of a new midfielder, namely Youri Tielemans.

After chasing the Leicester City star for the duration of this window, Arsenal are not prepared to pay over the odds to sign a player, who has entered the final year of his deal. Hence Arsenal are pondering a Bosman move for Tielemans in 2023, although some stories insist they are prepared to step up their chase before the transfer deadline.

Tielemans’s potential arrival will push Lokonga further down the pecking order, and a loan move to Serie A would make sense, considering he would want to play regularly. However, the reports around his development under Arteta have been positive, and the club may seek continuity.

As for Roma, they might have to look at alternative targets to the Belgian. Arsenal are unlikely to agree on a deal for Lokonga so late in the window, and it may not even be contingent on Tielemans’s arrival.