Arsenal receive ‘surprise loan bid’ from London rival for star affected by potential last January signing

Arsenal are aiming to sign a midfielder on deadline day, which has prompted another London side to ask for one of their current options in that role on loan, it has been claimed.

So far in January, Arsenal have added winger Leandro Trossard and defender Jakub Kiwior. To cap things off, they are hoping to sign a central midfielder before Tuesday’s 11pm deadline. Either Brighton’s Moises Caicedo or Chelsea’s Jorginho would do the trick.

It looks like the latter is going to be the most likely arrival. Indeed, things are progressing quickly over a £12million deal with Chelsea.

Hence, it could be a busy day for Arsenal’s transfer team. Not only will they be trying to convince everyone concerned to gift Mikel Arteta another new arrival, but they could also be listening to interest in some of their own players.

An update has now revealed that one of their existing midfielders could move on amid their pursuit of Jorginho.

According to Alan Nixon, Crystal Palace have approached Arsenal with a “surprise loan bid” for Albert Sambi Lokonga.

Lokonga is currently one of the least-trusted options out of Arsenal’s four defensive midfielders. Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey are the established starting partnership. Moreover, Mohamed Elneny would likely have played more than the Belgian this season were it not for his own injury issues.

Arteta has only given Lokonga two starts among six Premier League appearances so far this term. The youngest player in his department at the age of 23, the 2021 signing hasn’t progressed as expected.

Lokonga needs new challenge away from Arsenal

Across his whole Arsenal career, Lokonga has failed to score or assist from his 39 appearances. In contrast, from double that number of games for previous club Anderlecht, he was more effective with three goals and seven assists.

Therefore, something hasn’t quite translated for Lokonga yet in terms of becoming an effective Premier League player. Certainly, he will not be remembered as one of the most important players of this season’s Arsenal squad, who are aiming to win the league title.

And in fact, while his current teammates continue their pursuit of the Premier League trophy, Lokonga could be plying his trade elsewhere.

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Per Nixon, he could move across London to join Palace on loan for the rest of the season. It is not yet clear if the deal would contain an option to buy.

Palace have been looking for a new midfielder this month, initially wanting Conor Gallagher back from Chelsea. But they were always willing to move on from their ex-loanee and seem to have expanded their shortlist just in time.

Of course, Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira is the manager at Selhurst Park. There would be few better people to learn from if someone wants to be a successful Arsenal midfielder in the long term.

Lokonga could get more opportunities with Palace, while he wouldn’t necessarily have to uproot from his current surroundings.

Hence, it is an offer worth giving serious consideration to from Arsenal’s and Lokonga’s perspectives.

READ MORE: Crystal Palace agree £10.5m midfielder signing with curious clause attached, as shock Tottenham swoop buoyed by bitter injury blow