Arsenal are apparently ‘intensely’ interested in Anderlecht’s young captain, Albert Sambi Lokonga.

According to a report in Nieuwsblad.be, a number of English clubs are interested in the 21-year-old central midfielder, but it is Arsenal, currently, who seem to be the most interested.

The Belgian, who came through Anderlecht’s ranks, has two years left on his current contract and is valued at around £10.8m, making him their most expensive player and the sixth most expensive in the Jupiler Pro League.

The report from Belgium also claims that Arsenal were interested in Sambi in 2019 before he signed an extension with Anderlecht but no offer was forthcoming at that time.

Nieuwsblad add, “Because Arsenal only finished 8th in the Premier League and therefore do not play in Europe, the London club is looking for fresh blood. Anderlecht are hoping for the jackpot, but Lokonga has no caps for the national team yet and with 3 goals and 2 assists [in the league], his stats were also poor, although he mainly played as a defensive midfielder. A transfer price of €15 to €20 million seems the most feasible.”

Sambi has been called up by Belgium as a reserve ahead of the Euros.

In the 20/21 season, he made 37 appearances, scoring three and assisting three more. Of his 30 league appearances, 27 were as a starter.