Arsenal agree deal to sign Piero Hincapie for €52 million

Arsenal have agreed a deal to sign defender Piero Hincapie from Bayer Leverkusen (h/t David Ornstein). The Gunners will pay €52 million and agreed to a 10% sell-on fee.

Arsenal turned to Hincapie with Jakub Kiwior set to complete a move to FC Porto. The Ecuadorian is poised to sign a five-year deal after undergoing a medical this weekend.

Hincapie caught the eye with Bayer Leverkusen, where he operated as a centre-back. He has also played as a left-back for his national team.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has used centre-backs like Riccardo Calafiori, Ben White, and Jurrien Timber as full-backs in his set-up.

Hincapie is also versatile enough to fill in at both positions.

The 23-year-old helped Leverkusen keep eight clean sheets in 32 Bundesliga appearances last term, bagging two goals and two assists.

He was part of three shut-outs in the Champions League.

The aggressive centre-back can develop into a more formidable defender under Arteta’s tutelage, beside established names like Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba.

Hincapie will become Arsenal’s eighth summer signing this busy transfer window.

The North Londoners have secured Eberechi Eze, Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi, Kepa Arrizabalaga, and Noni Madueke.

The Gunners have also added Cristhian Mosquera and Christian Norgaard to the ranks.

With the squad now stacked in every department, there can be no hiding place for Arteta.

Arsenal’s new sporting director, Andrea Berta, has delivered a near-perfect transfer window.

They have plugged defensive gaps and added firepower and creativity in midfield and attack.

After three consecutive seasons of falling just short, finishing second in the Premier League twice, patience is wearing thin.

The Gunners are no longer outsiders but genuine contenders with the depth and quality to compete on all fronts.

Arteta must now prove he can turn potential into silverware, because this season, nothing short of a major trophy will do.

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