Arsenal loanee – currently at Crystal Palace – could reportedly be available on a permanent transfer in the summer

Arsenal are reportedly likely to allow Albert Sambi Lokonga to permanently leave the club in the summer so they can fund Mikel Arteta’s rebuild in the next transfer window.

The Belgian, who has been capped once by his country, is currently on loan at Crystal Palace, joining the Eagles on deadline day until the end of the season.

Lokonga has featured four times for the South Londoners since signing at Selhurst Park and started the last two outings alongside Cheick Doucoure.

The Times are reporting that Arsenal are contemplating offloading Kieran Tierney, Nuno Tavares and Lokonga to bolster their transfer budget for the summer.

The former Anderlecht midfielder joined Arsenal in July 2021, signing a long-term contract at The Emirates.

Speaking about Lokonga prior to the goalless draw with Liverpool last Saturday, Vieira said: “He’s been really good.

“I was happy with the game he had against Brentford. 

“I took him off because he didn’t play for a while, and physically he was starting to drop off a little bit. 

“For his first start, I was pleased with what I saw on the field.

“He can improve us and [allow us] to have one extra player going forward – he has that in his locker.

“He is capable of playing between the lines – technically, he is really comfortable.

“With the quality he has, he can break the line and find those players between the line.”