Arsenal are looking to inflict more hardship on city rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the transfer market by winning the battle for Bayer Leverkusen star Piero Hincapie.
Before Newcastle and Liverpool meet at St. James’ Park later this Monday, Arsenal and Totteham are the only ones to have won their first two games this season.
Read: Manchester United’s bench warmer Joshua Zirkzee gets an offer “he can’t refuse”
Arsenal have already completed a brutal hijacking raid on Tottenham this summer, signing Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace in a deal worth £67.5 million. Spurs almost had Eze in the box, but the attacking midfielder turned the tables and chose Arsenal after getting to know their interest.
The Gunners set things moving in the direction of Eze after an injury to Kai Havertz. – Spurs could miss out on another top goal as they face intense competition from Arsenal for Ecuadorian defender Piero Hincapie.
TEAMtalk revealed on Monday morning that Spurs are seriously considering a move for Hincapie, who is open to leaving Leverkusen this summer and moving to the Premier League. Arsenal have also scouted the versatile star, who can operate as a centre-back or left-back. In addition, Chelsea have been watching closely.
The 23-year-old “prioritizes Arsenal” over his other options, just like Eze.
Hincapie has an expiry clause of €60 million in his contract, but Arsenal are working hard to sign him at a lower price.
According to sports journalist Ben Jacobs, Arsenal’s sporting director Andrea Berta is “ready to bid for Hincapie”. He adds that Hincapie “prefers a game to the Emirates Stadium to Spurs”.
Arsenal have made an “official approach” to Leverkusen to kickstart a deal.
Another Spurs move could be ruined by Arsenal
Spurs have already sent Leverkusen a loan offer that includes an obligation to buy that matches Hincapie’s expiry clause, while also initiating talks with the defender’s camp. However, Spurs are now in serious danger of losing him to Arsenal.
It emerged earlier on Monday that Arsenal could complete an eighth signing this summer if Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko leave, with a new left-handed defender in sight.
Hincapie has now emerged as their main target.
Kiwior looks set to make way for Hincapie in the Arsenal squad. Porto had a bid for the Polish international rejected in July and is set to return with a new loan-to-buy offer worth over €20 million (£17 million).
Read on English clubs: Manchester United have already found Andre Onana replacement
