Arsenal are in talks with Crystal Palace over a loan move for Albert Sambi Lokonga, football.london understands.
The Gunners have agreed a £12million deal with Chelsea to bring in Jorginho on transfer deadline day after missing out on top target Moises Caicedo from Brighton. With Arsenal out of both domestic cups this means that Lokonga, who hasn't featured in a Premier League match since October, will likely see his game time cut even further.
Arsenal are keen to ensure the Belgian international can get a regular run of football to find his form again after a difficult few months at the Emirates Stadium. Palace are keen to bring Lokonga in where he will work with Gunners legend Patrick Vieira.
READ MORE: Arsenal agree £12m Jorginho transfer as Brighton Moises Caicedo stance unchanged
Lokonga has fallen increasingly further down the pecking order in north London and has garnered little sympathy from Mikel Arteta. “We’ll see more, and he has to prove that what he’s asking for he can produce on the pitch," the Spaniard said in reaction to an interview in which Lokonga stated his frustration at a lack of minutes. “We’re looking for every single player to raise their level and get the right competition in the team, and when you play and perform in a way that we win and play well enough to win games.”
Lokonga's move is not thought to affect Arsenal's pursuit of Declan Rice. The England international is Mikel Arteta's top target in the summer where the Gunners are keen to bring him in from West Ham.
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