Arsenal midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga has reached a verbal agreement with Sevilla over a potential transfer this summer, with club to club talks ongoing, CaughtOffside understands.

Lokonga spent last season loan at Luton Town and impressed there, attracting plenty of interest from a number of clubs in England and Italy this summer, though things are now advancing with La Liga side Sevilla.

Sources with a close understanding of the situation have informed CaughtOffside that Lokonga has verbally agreed personal terms with Sevilla, with the Belgian likely to join on an initial loan as the two clubs discuss the terms of a clause for a permanent purchase.

It is understood that Arsenal would like a mandatory buy clause, while Sevilla’s preference is for a buy option, with discussions ongoing to try to reach an agreement.

Lokonga transfer: Arsenal to send midfielder out on loan again

Some Arsenal fans may well be slightly disappointed to see Lokonga going out on loan as he showed real potential on loan at Luton last season – enough to surely be worth a role as a squad player in Mikel Arteta’s side next term.

Still, whether it’s because Arsenal don’t have a place for him, or because the player himself wants more guaranteed playing time, it seems he’s set to be on the move again.

CaughtOffside understands Lokonga also had interest from Premier League clubs Everton and Nottingham Forest, while Juventus and Lazio were also among his suitors.

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If a move to Sevilla goes through, it will be interesting to see how Lokonga performs, and if it perhaps turns into another opportunity for the 24-year-old to catch Arteta’s eye and do his best to return to fight for his place at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal have been linked with potential midfield signings this summer that might limit Lokonga’s playing time even further.

The post Exclusive: Arsenal midfielder agrees terms with new club, talks ongoing over clause issue appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Ross Barkley is strongly linked with a move to Aston Villa this summer. 

The 30-year-old midfielder has been in impressive form for Luton in the Premier League despite their relegation, and his performances have caught the attention of clubs like Aston Villa, Manchester United and Newcastle United as well.

But it is Villa who have shown the strongest intent to sign him. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported a few weeks ago that the Villa have reached a verbal agreement with Luton Town for Ross Barkley, with the fee close to around £5m.

The agreement on the player’s side was still something that was remaining. As per his recent update a few days ago, Villa are preparing to enter the formal talks with the player to agree personal terms with him.

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It was recently reported by Football Insider that Emery personally met with Barkley to convince him to join the club. The Aston Villa manager had face to face talks with the player explaining him how he fits into his plans.

Villa have lost Douglas Luiz to Juventus this window and Jacob Ramsey is also linked with a move away, with Spurs reportedly making their first bid for him earlier today.

The post Unai Emery met with England midfielder to convince him to join the club appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Aston Villa, under the direction of manager Unai Emery and club chief Monchi, are focused on strengthening their squad by acquiring experienced players without overspending.

One of their prime targets this summer is Ross Barkley, who has been identified as an affordable yet high-quality addition to their midfield.

Barkley, who is 30 years old, made a notable impact in the Premier League with Luton Town last season. Despite Luton’s relegation, Barkley’s individual performance stood out. He scored five goals and provided four assists in 32 Premier League appearances, which sparked interest from several top-flight clubs, including Newcastle United and Everton.

His resurgence had even led to discussions throughout the season about a potential recall to the England national team.

Aston Villa have agreed a deal for Luton star Ross Barkley

According to the latest updates from transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Aston Villa have made significant progress in securing Barkley’s services. The club have verbally agreed on a transfer fee of approximately £5 million with Luton Town.

While the official confirmation of the move may be delayed until early July, a club-to-club agreement is already in place, suggesting that the transfer is likely to be completed soon after the British summer transfer window opens on June 14.

Aston Villa’s strategy of adding proven performers like Ross Barkley without breaking the bank aligns with Emery and Monchi’s vision of building a competitive team through smart and financially prudent signings as they shape their squad ready to tackle the challenge of the UEFA Champions League.

The post Emery delighted as Aston Villa agree deal for first signing: He will be announced in July appeared first on CaughtOffside.

It’s been a trying time of late for Everton Football Club.

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Although there is the move to a new stadium to look forward to, the apparent mismanagement of the club has left a potential takeover by 777 Partners hanging by a thread.

Were any takeover to end up not being completed, it would almost certainly impact heavily on the club and its ability to move forward on and off the pitch.

The cost of the new stadium will remain a millstone around the necks of those at the club unless things can be put on an even keel.

Everton will lose out on Ross Barkley

Despite being deducted points for their financial problems last season, Sean Dyche performed something of a miracle by being able to keep the Toffees in the Premier League.

In order for the side to have a reasonable chance of not having to go through another season-long relegation scrap, it’s obvious the manager needs some reliable exponents in his squad.

It’s believed that he wanted to secure a switch for Everton old boy, Ross Barkley, however, there’s a frustrating reason, according to Football Insider, why the likelihood is the attacking midfielder will sign for Unai Emery at Aston Villa instead.

Everton will need to sell players before they can bring any new faces in, and that will clearly leave Dyche with a huge predicament ahead of the new season.

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Improvements need to be made in various positions, but if there’s no money available to be able to do just that, and the movement of players out of Goodison Park isn’t flowing in as timely a fashion as the club would like, it represents a real problem for Dyche and his backroom team.

There’s only a finite amount of times that he can work miracles with what he has available, and relegation could soon become a reality for the club if nothing changes.

The post Frustrating reason why Everton can’t sign former player destined for Aston Villa appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Unai Emery has done a magnificent job at Aston Villa over the past 18 months, and the club have now been praised for their pursuit of a player that Man City captain, Kyle Walker, has branded “incredible.”

The Midlands-based outfit would likely have been disappointed that they were unable to replicate West Ham United and lift the Europa Conference League title aloft, however, their work across the 2023/24 Premier League season has meant qualification to the Champions League for the first time in four decades – back when it was known as the European Cup.

Kyle Walker praises Aston Villa for Barkley signing

With that in mind, it’s clear that the club need reinforcements for the work that lies ahead of them, and Walker, speaking on his You’ll Never Beat Kyle Walker podcast, paid tribute to the work that the club are already doing, that has seen some of their players get international recognition including for England ahead of the European Championship.

“Ross Barkley is incredible,” Walker said.

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“I think you have to take your hat off to the likes of Aston Villa, Ez Konsa is playing for England now, Ollie Watkins is scoring goals for fun, you have Bailey, a great keeper who has gone and won the World Cup.

“You have Douglas Luiz, who I played with at City, so they have good players but I think it’s probably helped them that they have been under the radar so they can go out and play.”

The post “Take your hat off to Aston Villa” – Kyle Walker on “incredible” signing Emery will make appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Arsenal midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga could be on the move this summer, either on loan or permanently, according to transfer news expert Fabrizio Romano.

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The Gunners sent Lokonga out on loan to Luton Town in the season just gone, and it seems unlikely that the Belgian will stay at the Emirates Stadium for the long term, even though his loan spell looked pretty impressive in the end.

Speaking exclusively to CaughtOffside for his latest Daily Briefing column, Romano explained that Lokonga could leave temporarily again or even in a permanent deal, depending on what offers come in this summer.

The 24-year-old could surely be a tempting option for a number of clubs in England and Europe, even if he doesn’t quite look like he has it in him to challenge for a place in Mikel Arteta’s side.

On top of that, it will be difficult for Lokonga as Romano expects Arsenal to sign more midfielders to mean there’ll be even more competition in that area of the AFC squad next season.

Lokonga transfer update from Fabrizio Romano’s latest column

“We’ve heard Albert Sambi Lokonga speaking publicly about his future and saying he doesn’t expect to stay at the Emirates Stadium,” Romano said.

“My understanding is that Arsenal are open to both loan or permanent deal proposals, based on the fee or the player’s preference – that will also be important. Lokonga is expected to leave again because Arsenal want to bring in a new midfielder and they’ve already got many players in that position.”

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Arsenal surely need a busy summer to ensure they can close that small gap between themselves and Manchester City, so a sale like this could be important to help raise funds for top signings.

Lokonga looked a big prospect when he first moved to north London, but it’s fair to say the club have now raised their standards so can’t be carrying players like this anymore.

The post Exclusive: Arsenal midfielder could leave on loan or permanent transfer, says Fabrizio Romano appeared first on CaughtOffside.

According to Football Insider, Aston Villa have initiated discussions to re-sign Ross Barkley from Luton Town.

The report indicates that manager Unai Emery has sanctioned the move, signalling the club’s intent to bring back the former Everton and Chelsea midfielder.

Aston Villa are reportedly actively working on a deal to secure Barkley’s services but face competition from several rival Premier League clubs.

Barkley has had a standout season with Luton Town, having joined on a free transfer on last August, after leaving Nice.

Since his arrival, he has made 37 appearances, scoring five goals and providing six assists from a deep midfield position, performances that have attracted the interest of multiple clubs.

With Luton Town now relegated, Barkley is keen to remain in the Premier League, which has sparked a race among clubs to sign the 30-year-old.

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His familiarity with Aston Villa could work in their favour, having previously spent a season on loan with the club.

During his loan spell, Barkley made 24 appearances, scoring three goals and providing one assist, although his impact was limited.

Aston Villa see Barkley’s experience and recent form as valuable assets as they look to bolster their midfield options for the upcoming season.

Villa manager Unai Emery is eager to strengthen the squad, specially with the team qualifying for the Champions League next season. Barkley’s return would enhance Villa’s midfield, reflecting the club’s ambition to compete at the highest level.

The post Aston Villa open talks to sign former Chelsea midfielder; Emery has sanctioned the move appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Newcastle United are set to be presented with an opportunity to sign Ross Barkley on a free transfer this summer, according to a report by Lee Ryder at The Chronicle.

The midfielder has been a standout performer at Luton Town, despite the club’s impending relegation from the Premier League.

Barkley’s current situation makes him a viable target for Newcastle United, as he seeks to continue playing in the top flight following an impressive season. The 30-year-old midfielder has accumulated five goals and six assists across all competitions, showcasing his talent and resilience.

Notably, he delivered remarkable performances in both encounters with Newcastle this season; providing the assist for Luton’s winning goal in a 1-0 match at Kenilworth Road and contributing a goal and an assist in a thrilling 4-4 draw at St James’ Park.

The report from The Chronicle highlights the existing connections between Barkley’s representatives and Newcastle United. Barkley is represented by the same agency that manages Newcastle’s manager Eddie Howe and several key players, including Harvey Barnes, Tino Livramento, and Lewis Hall. While this connection does not guarantee a deal, it suggests a potentially smoother negotiation process.

Ross Barkley could return to Everton this summer or join Newcastle United

The Magpies and Everton have both been identified as possible destinations for Barkley. His return to Everton, where he initially made his mark, is a compelling narrative, but Newcastle’s current status and ambitions might offer a more attractive proposition.

Barkley’s tenure at Luton Town, although shadowed by the team’s struggle, has rejuvenated his career, and his performances have caught the attention of Premier League clubs. The midfielder’s ability to influence games with his creativity and experience makes him a valuable asset for any team looking to strengthen their squad.

The post Chelsea flop has been offered to Newcastle United today appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Wolves are leading the way for the Premier League clubs to vote on getting rid of VAR from the start of next season.

Clubs from England’s top flight will hold their annual general meeting next month and at this gathering, they will vote on whether to abolish VAR from the start of next season, reports The Athletic.

VAR has been used in the Premier League since 2019 and is used in nearly all the top competitions across the globe. The technology has helped referees to make better decisions on the field of play but it has also generated persistent controversy.

This season has seen a lot of hate come the way of Premier League officials and most of that has stemmed from their use of VAR.

Nottingham Forest have been enraged by some of the decisions made by referees throughout the current campaign, while Liverpool also released a statement following the controversy over the Luis Diaz disallowed goal against Tottenham at the beginning of the season.

Last Month, Sweden became the first country to reject implementing VAR after fan backlash, and now will the Premier League follow in not using the technology from next season onwards?

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Wolves are the club that have formally submitted the proposal for VAR to be abolished for the 2024/25 season to the Premier League.

The Midlands club stated via The Athletic: “There is no blame to be placed — we are all just looking for the best possible outcome for football — and all stakeholders have been working hard to try and make the introduction of additional technology a success.

“However, after five seasons of VAR in the Premier League, it is time for a constructive and critical debate on its future.

“Our position is that the price we are paying for a small increase in accuracy is at odds with the spirit of our game, and as a result we should remove it from the 2024/25 season onwards.”

Is getting rid of VAR in the Premier League the right decision?

There are pros and cons with VAR as the technology has improved decision-making in England’s top flight. However, the officials using it have not been up to standard and have made many bad calls, as well as taken too long to reach a conclusion over incidents.

From a fan point of view, the technology has taken a lot of excitement out of the sport as supporters are not sure if they can celebrate goals or not as they can be taken away minutes later. It is also hard to understand what is happening inside the stadium when VAR is checking something and that leaves a lot of fans frustrated.

It is hard to say whether the Premier League is better off without VAR, but that is a decision now in the hands of the 20 clubs in England’s top flight.

The post Wolves leading the way as Premier League clubs to vote on scrapping VAR next season appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Arsenal expert Charles Watts can’t see Albert Sambi Lokonga having it in him to come back and fight for his place at the Emirates Stadium despite his impressive form on loan at Luton Town this season.

The 24-year-old has looked greatly improved since joining Luton on loan, impressing in the Premier League after getting the chance to play more regularly, though it seems Watts still has his doubts about the Belgian.

Speaking exclusively to CaughtOffside for his latest Daily Briefing column, Watts explained that Lokonga looks like someone lacking the personality to play for a big club like Arsenal, and it might be that the reduced pressure at somewhere like Luton has allowed him to enjoy his football a bit more.

Watts thinks Lokonga is a talented player, but he still doubts there’s room for him in Mikel Arteta’s squad, particularly after the recent news of Jorginho signing a new contract to remain in north London for another year.

Lokonga transfer: What next for the loaned-out Arsenal midfielder?

“It was great to see Albert Sambi Lokonga score his first Luton goal at the weekend. Obviously it wasn’t enough to keep them up, but it capped an excellent loan spell for the midfielder,” Watts said.

“He was desperately in need of a season of regular first-team football and that’s why he got. He also showed he has the quality to make a decent impact in the Premier League.

“It’s just not quite worked for Lokonga since his move to Arsenal. It’s not that he didn’t get the opportunities to impress, because he did. Arteta gave him plenty of chances, he just wasn’t able to really take them. There was a lack of personality about him when he played.

“You never really saw him take a game by the scruff of the neck. Whenever you watched him, you were never quite sure what sort of midfielder he was. He was neat and tidy, but that was about it. You need more about you to make it at a club like Arsenal, given what they are competing for and who they are up against.

“But that doesn’t mean Lokonga is a bad player. He came to Arsenal very young and sometimes it takes players time to settle. A move to a club like Luton was just what was needed for him to start to show his best form. It allowed him to step out of the limelight a bit, play without the pressure and scrutiny that comes from playing for a club like Arsenal. And you could see by his performances that he found his confidence as the season progressed. He became a really popular player at Luton and started to catch the eye.

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“In terms of his future, I think the most likely scenario is that Arsenal look to cash in on him this summer. If a good offer comes in, I’m sure they would accept it. If not, they will more than likely look for another loan.

“I would say that Luton’s relegation rules out the possibility of him moving there on a permanent basis, but Arsenal will hope his performances while he was away will have generated a market for him ahead of the summer window. I just don’t see him coming back and forcing his way into Arteta’s plans, especially now Jorginho has signed his new contract.”

The post Exclusive: Arsenal ace lacking ‘personality’ to play for the club and likely to seal transfer away – expert appeared first on CaughtOffside.