Burnley open talks for Arsenal midfielder as Vincent Kompany plots ambitious move for £17m star

After amassing over 100 points in the Championship, Vincent Kompany is keen to take his Burnley side to the next level in the Premier League.

The Clarets already have their eyes set on Arsenal midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga. The midfielder has spent the second half of the season on loan with Crystal Palace.

As Palace seem unlikely to sign the 23-year-old on a permanent basis, Burnley could have the green light to swoop in.

Arsenal spent around £17million on the midfielder back in 2021 to prize him away from Anderlecht.

The Belgian midfielder has previously worked with Kompany at Anderlecht where he oversaw his development into the first-team.

Football Insider has reported that Burnley have opened talks with the youngster and they see him as a top target this summer.

The likes of Josh Brownhill, Josh Cullen and Jack Cork have bossed the midfield for Burnley in the Championship, but they are keen to add to their options.

In the Championship, Burnley have often dominated the ball. Averaging 61.1% possession, opposing sides often couldn’t get near the ball.

However, Kompany will be forced to slightly adapt this style of play for the Premier League. Adding someone like Lokonga to the mix will give them a new dynamic.

Averaging 1.4 tackles per game, the 23-year-old will give Burnley an extra dynamic when it comes to winning the ball back.

Arsenal have midfielders on the wishlist

Given his lack of game time since joining Arsenal, Lokonga’s exit would be no major shock. He has played 39 matches for Arsenal, but plenty of those came as a substitute.

Arsenal will have to strengthen this position in the summer as they could lose both Lokonga and Granit Xhaka.

The Swiss midfielder is being heavily linked with a move to Bayern Leverkusen as a return to the Bundesliga could be on the cards.

This would then mean that Arsenal would have to be busy in the summer. Signing a new midfielder will be pivotal, but the Gunners would also have to replace Xhaka’s experience.

They have been linked with the likes of Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo, although neither player would come cheap.

Both players are likely to cost upwards of £80million and Arsenal might be forced to consider some other cheaper alternatives.

The Gunners head to Nottingham Forest this weekend and will look to keep alive their slim title hopes.

Given all the rumours currently going around the Emirates, the summer transfer window is set to be a hectic one for Arteta and his men.

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