Anderlecht are expected to return for pre-season without Albert Sambi Lokonga, as the midfielder prepares to move to Arsenal.

According to HLN (via Sport Witness), Albert Sambi Lokonga is no longer expected at Anderlecht’s training base for pre-season. They’re currently planning to begin their preparations without him.

The midfielder is close to Arsenal and a breakthrough is expected soon. Anderlecht are anticipating a €20m deal, and the player is hopeful of completing his priority transfer ahead of other exit options.

This comes after Kristof Terreur of the same Belgian outlet reported over the weekend that a deal is now ‘just a matter of time’. Anderlecht are working on securing a replacement for the 21-year-old.

Various reports in the English media this week suggested that a deal was progressing well, with Arsenal holding positive talks with Anderlecht and the player expected to be one of the club’s first summer signings.

Sambi Lokonga made 37 appearances for Anderlecht this season, as well as a few for the Belgium u21s. He was on the fringes of the Belgium Euro 2020 squad, but he narrowly missed out when Axel Witsel returned to fitness just in time.

That could now be good news for Arsenal, who would get Sambi Lokonga in for the earliest stages of their own pre-season preparations – as long as they can secure a deal.