According to reports, Luton Town is seriously considering ending Albert Sambi Lokonga’s Arsenal loan during the January transfer window.
The 28-year-old, who secured a temporary deal from Mikel Arteta’s Gunners in the summer, has not had the expected impact at Kenilworth Road.
Due to a significant hamstring injury sustained in late September, Lokonga has only appeared in four top-flight games for the Hatters.
The midfielder started last weekend’s ultimately postponed game at Bournemouth after making his competitive comeback on December 10 during Rob Edwards’ team’s loss to Manchester City.
TEAMtalk claims that Lokonga’s possible return to the Emirates is one of the loan transactions Luton is considering for the January transfer window.
Will Luton Town cancel the loan agreement with Albert Sambi Lokonga?
According to the report, the Hatters have been happy with their engine-room lineup even without the Belgian for a few months, with players like Tahith Chong, Marvelous Nakamba, and Ross Barkley taking center stage.
It is believed that in order to bring in a loan player for a different position, the Kenilworth Road team may decide to send Lokonga back to North London in the new year.
Should Luton fail to offload the Belgian, they would not be allowed to sign a temporary contract with another player from a top level English team due to Premier League loan regulations.
Prior to the January transfer window, Edwards’ team is said to have been flooded with loan chances; however, it is unclear if this will lead the Hatters to end Lokonga’s stay in Bedfordshire.
The former Belgium international paid £17.2 million to join Arsenal from Anderlecht in the summer of 2021, but he hasn’t been able to establish himself as a starter in Arteta’s starting lineup.
Will Luton Town cancel the loan agreement with Albert Sambi Lokonga?
Lokonga moved to newly-promoted Luton because his chances of playing time were further diminished by the additions of Kai Havertz and Declan Rice from Chelsea and West Ham United, respectively, prior to the 2023–24 season.
The 24-year-old spent a brief period of time at Selhurst Park and Crystal Palace in the second half of the previous season, but he only made nine appearances for the Eagles.
If Lokonga returns from Luton, it is believed that he will make a temporary move away from the Emirates, since Havertz, Rice, and playmaker Martin Odegaard, who presently compete for the Premier League title at Arsenal, make up the midfield.
On Saturday afternoon, the Hatters will host Newcastle United, who is pursuing the top four, at Kenilworth Road in an attempt to reduce the five-point deficit that separates them from Nottingham Forest, who is currently in 17th position in the top division.
