Arsenal Nears Bayer Leverkusen Deal for Defender Piero Hincapie

Arsenal are closing in on signing Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie, with the Ecuadorian international having agreed personal terms and signaling his desire to join the club. The deal is likely to be structured as a loan with an obligation to buy, similar to David Raya's transfer, although Arsenal are negotiating to lower Hincapie's €60 million release clause. The move is contingent on Arsenal offloading players, particularly Jakub Kiwior, who is linked with a loan-to-buy move to FC Porto, to create squad space and balance numbers. Hincapie is valued for his versatility, able to play both left center-back and left-back, offering tactical flexibility and attacking impetus akin to Riccardo Calafiori but with greater mobility and aggression. Arsenal have also shown interest in Girona's Arnau Martinez as a cheaper alternative, but a signing of Martinez would likely end their pursuit of Hincapie. Overall, Arsenal are focused on strengthening their defensive options ahead of the transfer window deadline while managing outgoing transfers to finalize deals.