Brighton have been a side which have an interest in the player however football.london understands that a move for Carlo Baleba is progressing with a fee in the region of €30million (£26million) expected to get the deal done after lengthy negotiations. There had been suggestions the Seagulls would entertain a loan for the Belgian.
However, from an Arsenal perspective, only a dry loan or a move with an option at a significant valuation would suffice. There were obstacles with this and Brighton however.
A repeat with Lokonga would not be ideal and on the flip side, Arsenal would not want the Belgian performing brilliantly and raising his value significantly only for the Seagulls to activate a relatively low buyout option in his loan deal. Loans have not worked out for the likes of Nicolas Pepe and Cedric Soares as the Gunners have found out this summer in their attempts to move them on.
If Lokonga is to leave, football.london understands that Ligue 1 is a likely destination. One club in particular is Monaco who could lose Youssouf Fofana this summer with Nottingham Forest already submitting a serious bid.
Fofana and Lokonga are similar in the sense their better role is in the number eight position, despite often being deployed in a deeper defensive midfield role. Monaco are already in talks with Arsenal for a deal to sign Folarin Balogunfootball.london understands with an improved second offer expected to be submitted.
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