Two of Arsenal’s midfielders, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Fábio Vieira, are set to depart the club, with both expected to join newly-promoted Bundesliga side Hamburg, according to The Athletic.
Lokonga is set to move permanently, while Vieira will head to Germany on loan, a move that still needs to be formalised on the final day of the transfer window but has already received the club’s approval for the player to travel and finalise the details.
Despite a summer of strong signings, Arsenal have struggled to find moves for several fringe players. Both Lokonga and Vieira, who were recruited as promising talents, have failed to establish themselves at the Emirates Stadium.
Lokonga and Vieira's ‘flops' at Arsenal
Arsenal extended Lokonga’s contract by a year earlier this summer to facilitate a permanent sale. The 24-year-old Belgian midfielder has spent much of the past two and a half years on loan at Crystal Palace, Luton Town, and Sevilla. Although he has shown intensity and consistency at times, Lokonga never secured a regular role under Mikel Arteta. His move to Hamburg represents a chance to rebuild his career at a club that, despite losing some prominence in recent decades, has a strong tradition and aims to maintain stability in the Bundesliga.
Fábio Vieira, signed from Porto in 2022 for around €35 million, arrived with high expectations for his creativity and vision. The 24-year-old Portuguese international, however, struggled to make an impact under Arteta, dealing with injuries and limited opportunities. Last season, he returned to Porto on loan but still failed to show the consistency that once made him one of Portugal’s most promising talents.
With two years remaining on his Arsenal contract, the club still retains some control over Vieira’s future. A move to Hamburg could be decisive for him to regain confidence and playing time in European football.
Competition and Secondary Deals for Arsenal
Stuttgart had also expressed interest in Vieira and even negotiated directly with Arsenal for a permanent transfer. However, talks stalled, and the German club pursued other targets, allowing Hamburg to step in and secure a loan deal deemed affordable for their budget.
For Arsenal, the departures of Lokonga and Vieira do not alter Arteta’s core midfield but free up space on the wage bill and create opportunities for other academy talents. In addition, these moves could provide future financial returns through sell-on clauses or increased player value following experience in another market.
This article was originally published on Trivela.
