Sevilla are close to completing the signing of Albert Sambi Lokonga this summer, with Arsenal seemingly relaxing their stance on a loan move.

Spanish outlet ABC report that Arsenal have relaxed their stance on an obligation to buy in Albert Sambi Lokonga’s proposed loan to Sevilla, adding that the player is very close to completing a transfer as a result.

ABC write that Sevilla are close to completing the loan deal, with Lokonga giving his approval to the move, aware that he doesn’t have a place in Mikel Arteta’s squad for next season.

Reports broke in late June that Arsenal and Sevilla were in advanced talks for a potential transfer for Lokonga, and negotiations over the purchase clause were seemingly holding things up.

Spanish journalists had reported that Sevilla were pushing for an option to buy, but Arsenal wanted an obligation to buy set at €12m (£10.2m).

If Arsenal have now relaxed that stance and would accept an option to buy, the deal would certainly become more likely, though the chances of the Gunners ever seeing the fee they’d agreed would significantly lessen.

Arsenal already received a fee of £500,000 for Lokonga’s loan to Luton Town last season and may also have received a fee for his loan to Crystal Palace. But that still puts them a way off recouping the £15m they invested in him to begin with.