Arsenal are set to bolster their defense after agreeing a loan deal for Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie.
The move comes as Mikel Arteta looks to strengthen his squad with the Premier League title in sight.
Loan Deal With Obligation to Buy
The deal sees Arsenal taking Hincapie on loan initially, with an obligation to sign him permanently next summer for £42 million.
The contract will include a 10 percent sell-on clause.
Personal terms are reportedly already agreed, and the 23-year-old Ecuador international is expected to sign a five-year deal following a medical set for this weekend.
Originally, Arsenal approached Leverkusen with a £45 million offer, but discussions evolved, allowing the payment to be structured through a loan with a future obligation to buy.
Hincapie’s release clause sits just above £50 million, meaning Arteta secured his target for a lower fee than initially anticipated.
Hincapie’s Rising Profile
Hincapie has been on Arsenal’s radar for months and expressed a desire to leave Leverkusen amid increasing Premier League interest.
Tottenham, Newcastle, and Liverpool had also scouted the defender, but Leverkusen had insisted he wouldn’t leave for less than his release clause, particularly after already losing key players Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong this summer.
The 23-year-old had signed a contract extension with Leverkusen last summer, keeping him at the club until 2029.
Last season, he missed just two Bundesliga matches and played in nine of Leverkusen’s ten Champions League games.
Since joining from Argentine side Talleres in 2021, Hincapie has made 165 appearances for the Bundesliga side.
Implications for Arsenal’s Squad
Hincapie’s arrival could determine the future of Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior, who has yet to establish himself fully under Arteta.
The 25-year-old Poland international joined Arsenal in January 2023 for £20 million but has mainly served as cover for William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.
With the Gunners’ central defense well-stocked, Kiwior is among the players who could move on before the transfer deadline.
Arsenal’s Busy Summer Transfer Window
This summer, Arsenal have been active in the transfer market, adding Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi, Eberechi Eze, and Noni Madueke to their squad.
If Hincapie completes his move, the club’s total spending for the window will exceed £300 million, pushing Arteta’s cumulative outlay as Arsenal manager past the £1 billion mark since 2019.
