Arsenal have reportedly reached an agreement to sign Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie on an initial loan deal.
The Gunners have made a number of reinforcements this summer, including Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Cristhian Mosquera, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyokeres.
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They also recently confirmed the signing of Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace after they hijacked Tottenham Hotspur’s pursuit of the England international.
Arsenal are now working on a deal for another player who has been linked with their north London rivals, with the Gunners in pole position to recruit Hincapie from Leverkusen.
Arsenal agree Hincapie deal
According to The Athletic, Arsenal have reached an agreement with the German club on a season-long loan deal for the centre-back.
The deal includes an option for Arsenal to sign Hincapie on a permanent deal for €52 million (£45 million), with a further resale clause of 10%.
Hincapie has already agreed personal terms with the Gunners, with a five-year contract ready if he signs permanently next summer.
Leverkusen have been reluctant to part ways with a player who only signed a new contract in December to extend his deal until June 2029.
However, they have decided to soften their stance after Hincapie informed the Bundesliga club of his desire to leave before the transfer deadline.
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Hincapie transfer depends on Kiwior exit
Hincapie is expected to travel to London this weekend to undergo a medical test ahead of the proposed transfer.
However, it is unlikely that the deal will be completed before Arsenal finalise Jakub Kiwior’s departure, as Porto are believed to be on the verge of signing the Polish international.
Kiwior and Hincapie’s respective transfers are both dependent on each other, as Arsenal will need to approve departures before they can sign new players in the final stages of the transfer window.
Even with Kiwior on his way out, Hincapie will face intense competition at Arsenal, as Mikel Arteta could already tap into Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba and Mosquera as his centre-back options.
The Ecuadorian international can also play left-back, which would put him in direct competition with Myles Lewis-Skelly and Riccardo Calafiori.
