Arsenal 'submit £13m Albert Sambi Lokonga transfer offer to Anderlecht for 21-year-old with Odegaard set for Real stay'

ARSENAL have reportedly launched a £13million offer for Anderlecht midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga.

But the Gunners have been dealt a blow in the pursuit of their No1 target Martin Odegaard with the playmaker expected to remain at Real Madrid.

SunSport reported earlier this month how Lokonga, 21, was on the North London club's radar with Granit Xhaka, Matteo Guendouzi and Lucas Torreira all facing an uncertain future.

Arsenal have been admirers of the Belgium youth international since 2019, and The Athletic have claimed that they have turned their interest into a formal offer.

They state that a £13m bid has been submitted, though this is likely to be rejected as Anderlecht hold out for £17m.

Lokonga has already spoken of his desire to leave Lotto Park in the summer, as he said: "I will not go to a club which is inferior to Anderlecht.

"I will only leave Anderlecht if all the ingredients are there.

"Yes, I feel ready to take a step forward and rub shoulders with great players.

"But everything will depend on the proposals that will be made during this summer."

Meanwhile the news outlet also reports that Odegaard – who impressed during his loan spell at the Emirates – is unlikely to be departing Madrid.

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Mikel Arteta has been desperate to keep the Norwegian midfielder at the club having added creativity to his side during the second half of the 2020-21 season.

It has been suggested that Odegaard will be given a chance under new boss Carlo Ancelotti having been deemed as surplus to requirements by Zinedine Zidane.

Arsenal will now pursue other options in the No10 role, while an offer for Brighton centre-back Ben White is expected in the near future.

The Seagulls are demanding at least £40m for the former Leeds loanee, a figure that the Gunners would be willing to fork out.

A number of players will be brought in by Arteta during the summer following a disastrous campaign that saw Arsenal miss out on European football.

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