Arsenal secures Hincapie on loan, eyes £45m permanent deal

Arsenal has finalized a significant deal to bring defender Piero Hincapie to the club on a season-long loan from Bayer Leverkusen. The agreement includes a future option to make the move permanent for a fee of £45 million (€52m), should the Gunners choose to activate it next summer.

Hincapie, 23, will wear the number five shirt and adds a new layer of strength and versatility to Arsenal's backline. The Ecuadorian international was a key part of Leverkusen's squad that won the Bundesliga and German Cup last season, making 166 appearances for the club since joining in 2021.

Manager Mikel Arteta expressed his excitement about the signing, telling the club's website, "Piero has a real physical presence, with his versatility and tactical flexibility giving us strong added defensive options."

Hincapie is the eighth signing for Arsenal this summer, joining a list of notable arrivals including Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi, and Eberechi Eze. His arrival coincides with the departure of Polish defender Jakub Kiwior, who has joined Porto on a season-long loan.

In addition to Kiwior, Arsenal has also moved two midfielders to German club Hamburg. Fabio Vieira, who was signed from Porto in 2022 for £34.2 million, has gone on a season-long loan, while Sambi Lokonga has completed a permanent move for an undisclosed fee.