The futures of Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek and Albert Sambi Lokonga ofArsenalare intertwined as both seek late transfers.
Neither central midfielder is part of their club’s first-team ρłɑɴs this season and both have been offered to other clubs ahead of the summer transfer window closing. United signed Van de Beek, 26, from Ajax in a £35million Ԁєɑł in 2020 but he has struggled to establish himself as a first-team regular at Old Trafford.
Van de Beek has started just sixPremier Leaguematches across three seasons at the club. Last season, he had to undergo surgery aftersuffering a season-єɴԀing knee ιɴjυɾуin a three-goal home win overBournemouthat the beginning of January.
The Dutchman isone of a handful of fringe playerswho are free to leave Old Trafford before the window shuts but herєjєƈτed the opportunity to join Ligue 1 club Lorient. There were several other options for Van de Beek, but none of the interest was formalised.
Newly promoted Luton were considering a move for the midfielder while he was under consideration from Inter, who also made contact for Davy Klaassen of Ajax. Galatasaray were another option, but the Turkish giants may instead have turned their attention to Sambi Lokonga.
The 23-year-old joined Arsenal two summers ago but has never established himself as a regular starter and, despite making 39 appearances for the Gunners, was loaned toCrystal Palacefor the second half of last season.
Mikel Arteta’s side were attempting to find a club willing to take on the Belgian international, with Luton and Galatasaray – two clubs who were weighing up a switch for Van de Beek, in the running. The scenario put United and Arsenal in a head-to-head situation to move on their deadweight.
Earlier this month, Sambi Lokonga expressed his desire for a fresh start this summer, telling YouTube channelWonhee Hyung: “I will try to go somewhere where I can play so that’s the most important thing for me – to have some games and play game after game.”
After his debut campaign in north London, the midfielder explained toLa Derniere Heure: “At the єɴԀ of last season, I almost snapped. I called my agent to ask him if staying at Arsenal was a good idea. He comforted me in my choice, even though I know I need to start more often to develop.”
