Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira has revealed that he had a conversation with Arsenal sporting director Edu before swooping to make Albert Sambi Lokonga a loan signing for the Eagles.

The 23-year-old Belgian midfielder had been limited to only 15 appearances for Arsenal this season and was in need of a move to continue his development.

In his press conference before their game this weekend, Vieira spoke highly of the player, saying that Edu had given him a good picture of Lokonga both on and off the field.

The Palace manager acknowledged that while nothing was guaranteed, he believed that Lokonga has the ability to help the team be more competitive.

He added that the midfielder was eager to take on the challenge of breaking into the starting lineup, but that there were no guarantees in football and that he would have to earn his place.

Vieira also revealed that he and the club had a relationship with Lokonga since he was at Anderlecht, and they had had a couple of conversations with him. The Palace manager said that they knew the player well and felt that they could help him grow as a player.

“I spoke with Edu, not with Mikel [Arteta],” said the Palace boss.

“Edu really gave me the picture about the player on the field and off the field.

“We know what kind of player we’re taking and which side of the game he needs to improve. He is a player who will help us.

“He was looking for a place where he could play, where he would have an opportunity to keep developing himself.

“Of course, coming to us, we have players in that position – nothing is guaranteed.

“But he has the ability to help us to be more competitive. That is a challenge as well [breaking into the side] that, as a player, he wanted to take.

“He won’t have any kind of guarantee because, in our world, there is no guarantee of being in the starting 11. To get involved, you have to show that you deserve to play.

“We knew a lot about him when he was at Anderlecht as well – we had a couple of conversations with him.

“It’s not the first conversation we have had with him. We built this relationship [from trying to sign him before], and he knows that we know him quite well.

“With us, we can help him to grow as a player.”

Under the guidance of Patrick Vieira, an Arsenal legend, Lokonga will look to make the most of this chance and prove himself in the Premier League.

Discussing his decision to make that move, the midfielder admitted Vieira played a big role.

“It was not easy [to leave Arsenal] because as you can see they are top of the league,” Lokonga said. “But for me, the important thing was the confidence of the coach (Patrick Vieira).

“I had him on the phone and it was a good opportunity to come here, to show myself and to help the boys reach their objectives.

“He said to me ‘welcome’. He is going to push me to be a better player – I am looking forward to it.

“I’m fully fit,” Sambi added. “I am ready to start if needed on Saturday in the game.”