The humiliating transfer fee Arsenal accepted for Mikel Arteta’s £17.2m signing Sambi Lokonga has left fans scratching their heads.
A heavy loss on Lokonga for Arsenal
When Arsenal brought in Albert Sambi Lokonga from Anderlecht back in 2021, the club believed they were investing in a future midfield star. The Gunners shelled out £17.2m for the Belgian, expecting him to grow under Mikel Arteta’s system.
His first season wasn’t bad, clocking 24 appearances, but things quickly turned south. He never nailed down a spot and ended up shuffled out on loan to Crystal Palace, Luton Town, and Sevilla. By the time this summer rolled around, the Gunners were ready to cash in.
Lokonga’s big move to Hamburg didn’t bring in millions like fans might expect. Reports first suggested Arsenal had banked £2.5m, which was already a disappointing figure, but the truth turned out worse.
German outlet Bild confirmed the real fee was just £260,000. That is a number that feels more like a training compensation payment than a EPL exit deal.
Gunners’ transfer misfire
For a player Arteta once believed could control the midfield, the final chapter was embarrassing. Even with add-ons potentially boosting the total, the difference between £17.2m paid and what Arsenal got back is huge.
Lokonga never became the answer the Gunners needed. His loan spells failed to spark the rise the club hoped for. Instead, his exit stands as one of the worst pieces of transfer business in recent years.
To add more spice, Hamburg also picked up Fabio Vieira on loan this summer, with an option to buy. Vieira cost Arsenal £30m just two years ago, so fans are nervously watching that deal too.
If Arsenal fail to protect their value on him, the Lokonga deal may not be the last costly mistake under this ownership.
Author’s Opinion:
This transfer is proof that Arsenal still struggle when it comes to selling players. They’ve built a strong squad under Arteta, but deals like Lokonga’s drag down the progress. Smart signings must be matched by smarter exits.
