Arsenal 'reject £7m Albert Sambi Lokonga transfer bid from Monaco' with Gunners short on midfielders after injury blows

ARSENAL have reportedly rejected an offer worth £7million from Monaco for Albert Sambi Lokonga.

The 23-year-old has not been a regular for the Gunners in the Premier League, but Mikel Arteta is short of options in midfield.

An injury to Mohamed Elneny has left the league leaders particularly light in the middle of the park.

And a recent £7m bid for Lokonga from Ligue 1 side Monaco was rebuffed, according to Foot Mercato.

With Arsenal currently top of the Prem, as well as still in the FA Cup and Europa League, Arteta will need to rely on his entire squad.

So a knee injury to Elneny leaves Lokonga as their only available midfield cover for Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey, although Oleksandr Zinchenko can also play there.

Belgian international Lokonga has started just two Prem games this season, but has featured 14 times in all competitions.

The Gunners have already rejected a request from Monaco to take Lokonga on loan for the rest of the season.

Instead Arteta has eyes on adding to his midfield before the transfer deadline on Tuesday.

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Arsenal are now weighing up how much they are prepared to pay to get a deal over the line.

Arteta said: “We need more cover in midfield but it’s pretty complicated to do that in this market.

“But if there’s anyone available who can make us better we will look at it.”