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Albert Sambi Lokonga has made it clear he hopes to stay at Sevilla beyond this season, signaling his desire for a permanent move away from Arsenal.

The Belgian midfielder joined the Gunners in 2021 from Anderlecht in a £17 million deal and initially showed promise, featuring in 24 matches during his debut campaign. However, with fierce competition for midfield spots under Mikel Arteta, Lokonga found playing time hard to come by.

A loan spell at Crystal Palace followed in early 2023, before another temporary stint at Luton Town. Despite Luton’s struggles, Lokonga impressed, earning a season-long move to Sevilla last summer. Now thriving in La Liga, he has rediscovered the form that made him a rising star at Anderlecht, where he once captained the side at just 21 years old.

Speaking to Muchodeporte, Lokonga expressed his happiness in Spain, stating, “I feel very, very good at Sevilla. I’m growing and improving every game. Since leaving Anderlecht, this is the club where I feel most comfortable. I want to stay, but the decision isn’t just mine.”

Sevilla reportedly holds an option to buy Lokonga for €12 million (£10 million) at the end of the season, but it remains unclear whether they will activate the clause. The club has been struggling for form, winning just once in their last six outings, and currently sits 12th in La Liga.

Despite the setbacks, Lokonga remains optimistic, insisting that the squad is composed and focused. “Right now, we shouldn’t be talking about Europe. We need to find our best level because we have a lot of potential,” he said. “When the season ends, we’ll see where we stand. The dressing room is calm, and we believe in our quality players.”

Sevilla faces a tough challenge against Barcelona this weekend, and Lokonga will be crucial as they look to turn their season around.