VINCENT KOMPANY is eyeing up a reunion with unwanted Arsenal star Albert Sambi Lokonga.
The 23-year-old is surplus to requirements at the Emirates, after falling out of favour under Mikel Arteta.
He is currently on loan at Crystal Palace, where he has appeared nine times this season.
But the Eagles are reluctant to make the move permanent.
And that has left the door open for the Burnley boss, 37, who managed the Belgium midfielder during the 2020-2021 campaign at Anderlecht, before he made a £17million move to Arsenal.
Kompany is a huge fan of £15million-rated Lokonga and once compared him to Premier League legend Yaya Toure.
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The ex-Man City captain even revealed he recommended the youngster to Arteta, before the north London giants swooped.
Speaking about the player’s potential on Rio Ferdinand’s Vibe with Five YouTube channel, Kompany said: “
“When I was still a player for City, I was coming to a point where I was thinking about my future. Management? Carry on? Sign a new deal?” said Kompany.
“I was watching football from different countries, different places. And I saw Sambi play his first game – his first two games – then he got an injury to his knee.
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“But the first thing I did when I saw Sambi is I went to Mikel and said, ‘You’ve got to watch this guy, he’s the new Yaya Toure.”
Clarets chiefs have told Kompany he will be backed in the transfer market.
And one of the players he would like to bring in is former player Lokonga.
He believes he can help his former player rediscover his form and become a Premier League hit.
Arsenal are eyeing up midfield replacements of their own this summer.
They have been linked with moves for West Ham’s Declan Rice and Brighton star Moises Caicedo, which could cost them as much as £200million.
Reports have suggested Arsenal could offload up to 10 stars in the summer, including Lokonga.
While Granit Xhaka is said to be in advanced talks with Bayer Leverkusen over a £20million transfer.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
