Crystal Palace are currently in talks with Arsenal over a “straight loan” deal for midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga at Selhurst Park, Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge has told GiveMeSport.

Patrick Vieira is currently looking for additions in the centre of the pitch to ease the Eagles’ relegation fears.

GiveMeSport Transfer Update

Crystal Palace transfer news – Albert Sambi Lokonga

According to reports, Palace are in negotiations with Arsenal over a potential deal to bring Lokonga to the club until the end of the season, with the midfielder having started just two games for Mikel Arteta’s side this campaign.

With the Gunners looking set to sign Chelsea midfielder Jorginho for a fee of £12m today, Edu and Arteta may be encouraged at the prospect of letting the Belgian leave the club on a temporary basis to get some senior minutes under his belt.

The former Anderlecht star would likely have wanted to be given more appearances as Arsenal look to secure their first Premier League title since 2003, but the form of Granit Xhaka and Martin Ødegaard means that his game time has been restricted.

The Eagles are yet to make any additions to their squad this month, which may be frustrating Vieira, but the signing of Lokonga would seem a tidy bit of business to conclude the window.

What has Bridge said about Crystal Palace and Lokonga?

Bridge told GiveMeSport: “They’re currently in talks over a straight loan for him but he will make the decision, I'm told.”

Would Lokonga be a good signing for Crystal Palace?

Lokonga – who signed for Arsenal for an initial fee of £15m in the summer of 2021 – would provide Vieira with an alternative option in the centre of the park as the Eagles look to secure the points to remain in the Premier League this season.

The one-cap Belgium international has made 39 appearances during his time with the Gunners but is yet to provide so much as a goal or assist in that spell.

The 6 foot star compares favourably to his positional peers in some aspects of his game, ranking in the top 2% of midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues as well as the Champions League and Europa League for pass success rate (91.6%) and the top 7% for progressive passes per 90 minutes (5.71) over the last 365 days, as per FBref.

Therefore, a temporary switch for Lokonga would seem to be a sensible piece of transfer business on behalf of both Palace and Arsenal, with the Belgian’s future likely to be assessed in the summer.

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