Arsenal Strike Gold: Major Breakthrough Secured in Piero Hincapie Chase
Arsenal appear poised to secure another significant signing ahead of north London neighbors Tottenham Hotspur for the second occasion within a week, following a pivotal development in negotiations with Piero Hincapié.
Tottenham, after witnessing Eberechi Eze slip away to the Gunners despite having reached an agreement with Crystal Palace, had targeted the Bayer Leverkusen defender and seemed to be advancing toward a deal valued at approximately €60 million (£51.8 million, $69.9 million).
However, shortly after reports emerged of a loan arrangement with purchase obligation being proposed to Leverkusen, Arsenal were also said to be pursuing their own agreement for the Ecuador defender.
Reports then indicated that Hincapié favored the Arsenal move and, presently, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that personal terms with the 23-year-old have been finalized. A lengthy contract is reportedly prepared for signing once a successful bid to Leverkusen is completed, which the Gunners are currently formulating—presumably a loan with mandatory purchase clause that guarantees the Bundesliga club substantial future compensation while maintaining minimal upfront expenses for Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta's team are also believed to be working on moving current centre back Jakub Kiwior to Porto in a deal expected to reach €20 million following an initial loan period.
Nurtured by the same Ecuadorian academy that developed Moisés Caicedo, Kendry Páez and Willian Pacho, Hincapié has competed in European football since transferring to Leverkusen in 2021. He has featured in 166 matches for the German club and was part of their Bundesliga title-winning campaign in 2023–24.
His prospective move to Arsenal would strengthen the squad's defensive options and likely position him as primary backup to William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães. Summer signing Cristhian Mosquera represents another key alternative, while Ben White, Riccardo Calafiori and Jurriën Timber, though predominantly deployed as fullbacks, can all operate in central defensive roles.