North London Rivals Arsenal and Tottenham Clash Over €60M Defensive Target as Player's 'Preference' Emerges

Following their successful capture of Eberechi Eze, Arsenal have allegedly entered the competition for Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapié, a player Tottenham Hotspur had been frontrunners to sign.

The 23-year-old Ecuadorian defender developed at Independiente in his native country alongside current Chelsea midfielder Moisés Caicedo. Following a season in Argentina before excelling at Leverkusen, Hincapié might reunite with his fellow countryman in London during this transfer window.

Tottenham initially seemed destined to secure Hincapié's signature. Thomas Frank's team contacted Leverkusen proposing an initial loan arrangement with a mandatory purchase option for approximately €60 million (£52 million, $70.2 million), matching his contract's release clause value, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Hincapié was reportedly eager to depart Leverkusen following the club's summer player departures and Erik ten Hag's managerial appointment, with personal contract negotiations believed to be in progress. Then Arsenal emerged.

In what has become a recurring pattern, the Gunners were reported by The Athletic to be preparing a competing offer for Tottenham's primary target. Unlike Spurs, Arsenal are reportedly seeking a direct permanent transfer this summer and appear hesitant to meet Hincapié's €60 million release clause.

While Leverkusen may remain unsatisfied with current proposals, the defender is believed to "favor" joining Arsenal over Spurs.

The report additionally suggests that the Gunners' pursuit of the young left-footed defender depends on Jakub Kiwior's exit. The Polish defender serves as Gabriel's primary backup but has been made available for transfer this summer. A separate Romano report indicates that Portuguese club Porto are preparing an offer for Kiwior involving a loan with mandatory purchase totaling €20 million.

While Hincapié is two years Kiwior's junior and widely regarded as having greater potential, the experienced defender worked diligently to earn Mikel Arteta's trust during his first-team opportunities covering for Gabriel last season. Despite initial struggles, the 25-year-old justified his manager's high expectations with an "outstanding" display against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinals.