Real Oviedo want Arsenal midfielder

July 2, 2025 11:06 GMT (UK), by Ketan Patel

Newly promoted La Liga side Real Oviedo are pushing to sign Belgium international midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga, as the Spanish team hope to spend the majority of their transfer budget on the 25-year-old. An impressive season at Sevilla on loan last year caught the eye of Oviedo, who are now readying a 7 million euro transfer offer.

Lokonga arrived at Arsenal in 2021, and has only played 25 league games at the Emirates side since moving to the Gunners from Anderlecht. Loan spells with Crystal Palace, Luton Town and last season Sevilla followed, but it was at the Spanish outfit that Lokonga finally caught the eye. Real Oviedo are desperate to add a defensive midfielder to their squad and believe Lokonga will be willing to move back to Spain this summer.

The Belgian has cut a frustrated figure since arriving in North London, and manager Mikel Arteta has decided that Lokonga will not be given a squad number ahead of the 2025-26 Premier League campaign as Lokonga heads into the final year of his Arsenal contract.

Real Oviedo, who have Arsenal club legend Santi Cazorla on the books, will battle with two other Spanish clubs to sign Lokonga, believed to be Villarreal and Real Betis.