Crystal Palace are reportedly in talks to sign Arsenal midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga on loan.
After making 78 senior appearances for RSC Anderlecht, the 23-year-old joined Arsenal back in the 2021 summer transfer window.
During his time with the Gunners, the Belgian has featured 39 times for them across all competitions.
With hours left before the January transfer window closes, Lokonga could be swapping one London club for another.
In a recent Twitter post, journalist Charles Watts had this to say on the matter.
He said: “Talks underway between Palace and Arsenal over a loan for Sambi Lokonga.”
This season has seen the player make just six Premier League appearances for Mikel Arteta’s side, only starting two of them.
Clearly not at the top of Arteta’s pecking order, his playing time may also be impacted by the imminent arrival of Jorginho, who is reportedly set to join Arsenal from Chelsea on deadline day.
Described by Vincent Kompany as the “new Yaya Toure”, Lokonga may relish the chance at joining Palace and potentially playing regular football under Patrick Vieira.
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In terms of what he’d be able to offer Palace, the midfielder has racked up the highest passing accuracy percentage (92%) at Arsenal in the Europa League this season out of players that have featured in more than one match.
He has also made more progressive passes (33) than any other player at the club in the competition.
Taking into account how only five clubs in the Premier League have made fewer progressive passes than the Eagles (453) this season, this is an areas where the Arsenal figure may be able to help improve the Selhurst Park outfit.
Moving forward, if Palace end up sealing a late deal for Lokonga and are able to get the best out of him on the pitch until the end of the season, this could end up being a very beneficial move for all parties.