Arsenal have agreed a deal to sign Piero Hincapie permanently from Bayer Leverkusen, according to TEAMtalk. The Ecuador international joined the Gunners on a season-long loan last summer, with a pre-agreed buy option of £45m. Hincapie has impressed manager Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta during his time in North London, making 19 Premier League starts and six Champions League appearances.
A well-placed source told TEAMtalk that Hincapie has “settled so well into the squad and the club as a whole,” with staff noting his consistent improvement. The 24-year-old initially faced a delay in making his debut due to a groin injury, but quickly established himself as a valuable member of the squad.
Arsenal won the Premier League title this season, ending a 22-year wait, and are preparing for the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain. Despite this success, Arteta is planning significant changes to the squad, with reports suggesting eight players could depart this summer, including Ben White, Gabriel Jesus, and Gabriel Martinelli. The futures of Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard are also under review as they enter the final two years of their contracts.
Alongside Hincapie’s arrival, Arsenal are also reportedly advancing in talks to sign Eli Junior Kroupi from Bournemouth, with The Guardian claiming the club has the financial resources to make a significant signing. They are also considering a swap deal for Julian Alvarez, potentially beating PSG to his signature. Hincapie has already agreed personal terms on a five-year contract, extending his stay at the Emirates Stadium until 2031. The permanent signing of Hincapie provides defensive reinforcement as Arsenal look to build on their recent success and compete on multiple fronts.
