Arsenal’s ‘next Yaya Toure’ reveals he will QUIT club on permanent transfer after talks with Gunners chiefs
ARSENAL prospect Albert Sambi Lokonga is keen to leave the club.
The midfielder, 24, was once touted as the next Yaya Youre by compatriot Vincent Kompany.
But he struggled for game time with the Gunners since arriving from Anderlecht in 2021 and spent last season on loan with relegated Luton.
Now, he has set his sights on a fresh start after holding talks with the Arsenal hierarchy.
Her told BBC Three Counties Radio: “I had a discussion with Arsenal and the conclusion was the best thing for me was to leave the club, so now it’s up to my agent and the club to find something.
“I still have a contract there, one year plus a one-year option so let’s see what happens.”
Lokonga arrived at Arsenal for £17million with a blossoming reputation.
Former Anderlecht boss Kompany – who is set to join Bayern Munich after a compensation package was agreed – recommended him to Mikel Arteta while the Spaniard was still the No2 at City.
He said: “The first thing I did when I saw Sambi is I went to Mikel [Arteta] and also Pep [Guardiola], but Mikel first and said, ‘You got to watch this guy, he’s the new Yaya Toure.’
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
“I’m not sure I’m doing him a favour saying this stuff.
“Look, you know what I like about Sambi, what Yaya did have, is, he wants the ball no matter what.
“If the team is not doing well, give the ball to Sambi. Team doing well? Give the ball to Sambi.
“He will never hide away from his responsibilities.”
Luton have put together a brutal clearout following their Premier League relegation that has seen a total of 14 players leaving Kenilworth Road.
Loan stars Issa Kabore and Lokonga will return to their parent clubs as part of the cull.
Meet the Arsenal Wags from Strictly star to a flight attendant
Tomali Benson – partner of Bukayo Saka
Benson and Saka have kept information on their relationship largely quiet.
They do not appear on each others Instagram pages but she was seen speaking to Saka at the 2022 World Cup.
Helene Spilling – partner of Martin Odegaard
A professional dancer from Norway who rose to fame in the country’s version of Strictly Come Dancing, the pair were first spotted together at the Football Awards in March 2023.
Sophie Weber – partner of Kai Havertz
Weber works as a model and social media influencer and is the most high profile member of the group on online with almost 400,000 followers on Instagram.
They are childhood sweethearts having grown up in the same neighbourhood.
Milly White – partner of Ben White
The couple got engaged in 2022 before tying the knot officially in May last year. They have matching “I love you tattoos” on their wrists. Milly White works as a model.
Laura Trossard Hilven – partner of Leandro Trossard
The pair met in 2014 before getting married in 2019.
They have two sons together, Thiago and Amadeo.
Lauren Fryer – partner of Declan Rice
Lauren Fryer and Declan Rice have been together since 2015. She tends to keep a lower profile compared to some of Arsenal’s other Wags but is no less stunning.
She sadly deleted all pictures on her Instagram after suffering horrific abuse by vile trolls.
Georgina Ramsdale – partner of Aaron Ramsdale
Georgina Ramsdale works as a flight attendant.
The couple got married last June after the Arsenal star proposed in 2022. They originally met in 2019.