As Arsenal close on Lokonga, Villa prepare improved Smith Rowe bid

By Conor Laird


Published: June 21, 2021 10:07 pm

Last Updated: June 21, 2021 10:11 pm

A pair of updates surrounding potential ins-and-outs at Premier League giants Arsenal have come to the fore on Monday evening.

Anderlecht starlet incoming?

The first centers on a possible addition to Mikel Arteta’s ranks in the middle of the park.

Recent weeks have of course seen a whole host of midfield talents tipped to arrive at the Emirates, chiefly of an attacking nature. The likes of Nabil Fekir, Emi Buendia and even James Maddison were named, at some point or another, as targets on the part of the Gunners.

The midfielder who now looks closest to actually sealing a move to North London, though, generally lines out in a deeper role.

The player in question? Albert Sambi Lokonga.

Belgian talent Lokonga is thought to sit high on the list of Mikel Arteta’s targets, with the Spaniard desperate to secure the signature of a long-term partner for Thomas Partey.

And, if the latest word spreading across the media on Monday is anything to go by, it appears that the Arsenal boss will soon see his wish granted. As per a report from the reliable Chris Wheatley, the Gunners are ‘closing’ on Lokonga’s addition, with personal terms between the parties now agreed:

Arsenal are closing in on the signing of Albert Sambi Lokonga.

As reports in Belgium have mentioned, the player wants to join #AFC with personal terms already agreed.

Fee still yet to be agreed but optimism from all sides that a deal can be reached. https://t.co/ILskGWGodt

— Chris Wheatley (@ChrisWheatley_) June 21, 2021

ESR targeted

As one midfielder inches towards the Emirates, though, another is linked with a potential exit.

Emile Smith Rowe of course enjoyed a breakout campaign in the English capital in 2020/21, after finally being handed the chance to impress on a consistent basis late last year.

The Englishman is widely viewed as the long-term answer to Arsenal’s woes at no.10, with Smith Rowe’s impressive attitude having already seen him take on cult hero status amongst the club’s fanbase.

It has therefore come as something of a surprise to see one of the Gunners’ Premier League rivals push for the Englishman’s signature since the opening of the summer transfer window.

The side in question, Aston Villa, are widely reported to have seen a £25 million offer knocked back by those in a position of power at the Emirates.

According to Football Insider, though, the Villans are ready to test Arsenal’s resolve once more, courtesy of an improved bid over the days ahead. The proposal, this time around, is expected to be worth £30 million.

The Gunners’ response, though, will likely prove the same.

FI SOURCES 👀

– Aston Villa are preparing to submit an improved bid of £30million for Arsenal playmaker Emile Smith-Rowe.💰

– The London giants knocked back an opening offer of £25m from Villa for their academy product last week. ❌

Details: https://t.co/AgGyBiF9Du#AFC #AVFC pic.twitter.com/qFlDlFRb7T

— Football Insider (@footyinsider247) June 21, 2021

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Premier League table

#	Team	MP	D	P
1	Arsenal London
2	Aston Villa
3	Brentford London
4	Brighton & Hove Albion
5	Burnley FC
6	Chelsea London
7	Crystal Palace
8	Everton FC
9	Leeds United
10	Leicester City
11	Liverpool FC
12	Manchester City
13	Manchester United
14	Newcastle United
15	Norwich City
16	Southampton FC
17	Tottenham Hotspur
18	Watford FC
19	West Ham United
20	Wolverhampton Wanderers

Player	Team	Red Cards	Yellow Cards