Sources: Sambi Lokonga to be frozen out at Arsenal as talks underway
Sambi Lokonga is set to be frozen out of the Arsenal squad this summer, sources have told Football Insider.
The 23-year-old faces an uncertain future at The Emirates after enduring an underwhelming loan spell at Crystal Palace this season.
Lokonga is set to return to North London once his loan agreement expires, but Mikel Arteta is keen to move the player on quickly as there is no space for him in the Gunners squad.
Arsenal are in the market for new midfield signings this summer, with Arteta eager to strengthen that department ahead of the 2023/24 season.
Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo are two of the club's top targets for the upcoming window, and the arrival of a new signing will slide Lokonga even further down Arteta's pecking order.
It is looking increasingly likely that Lokonga will leave Arsenal in the summer, with offers already arriving for the young midfielder.
Football Insider sources understand that Burnley have opened talks with Arsenal over a loan deal for Lokonga.
Vincent Kompany is a big admirer of the midfielder having worked with him at Anderlecht prior to his £17.2million Arsenal move in 2021.
It is understood that Arsenal would also be open to allowing Lokonga to leave on a permanent basis if a suitable deal is proposed.
Lokonga has only played a total of 1,395 minutes at Palace this season and has made just two league appearances since Roy Hodgson replaced Patrick Vieira as manager in March.