Playmaker found? HSV set to sign Arsenal star! | OneFootball

Hamburg SV is looking for a midfielder with offensive skills. A solution appears to be in sight a day before the transfer window closes.

Hamburg SV seems to be turning to Arsenal FC. According to information from Mirror reporter Ryan Taylor, a transfer of Albert Sambi Lokonga is imminent. He is expected to move to the Hanseatic city for a moderate transfer fee, given his contract expiring in 2026. The midfielder, who was also courted by PAOK Saloniki, has recently not played a role at the Gunners.

Lokonga, who joined in the summer of 2021 for 17 million euros from Anderlecht, spent the last two seasons on loan at Luton Town and FC Sevilla. However, his successes were limited. In general, the Belgian is considered a box-to-box eight with a pleasing passing game. The number of scorer points was rather meager at all stations.

HSV candidate Rieder moves to Augsburg

However, HSV also needs a midfielder who creates offensive moments. Therefore, they also considered Fabian Rieder, who played on loan for VfB Stuttgart last season. He will stay in the Bundesliga, but will not move to the north. Instead, the Swiss player is according to "Ouest-France" about to transfer from Stade Rennes to FC Augsburg.

The league competitor is reportedly investing eight million euros in Rieder's services. Amounts that HSV, despite promotion and announced debt freedom, currently cannot match. For comparison: The previous ten new signings cost a total of about 8.5 million euros in transfer fees. The most money went to Rayan Philippe, for whom Eintracht Braunschweig received 2.5 million euros.

Only the Diamond - All news about HSV

How much the expenses for Lokonga will be is not yet known. However, it should be clear that great hopes are being placed in his abilities. Because the team of Merlin Polzin, which starts in the 3-4-3 system with only three offensive players, urgently needs impulses from the midfield center to radiate more goal threat than in the matches against Borussia Mönchengladbach (0:0) and against St. Pauli (0:2).

(Photo: Getty Images)

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.