According to Team Talk, Arsenal are prepared to sign Piero Hincapie permanently ahead of the summer. The Ecuadorian defender has enjoyed a fantastic loan spell so far, with Arteta hugely impressed by the options the versatile defender provides, as well as his performances.
Arsenal made some serious moves in the summer, signing eight players on deadline day. The main focus was to increase competition and add depth, which has helped make them one of the best teams in world football.
They also signed Hincapie on loan, which was a surprise move given how strong they were in defence even without him. Bayer Leverkusen secured a loan fee as well as a 10% sell-on clause should the Gunners make the move permanent.
Since arriving at the club, Hincapie has started at centre-back, but more recently he has established himself as the starting left-back ahead of the injury-riddled Riccardo Calafiori and young star Myles Lewis-Skelly. He has already been lauded for several performances, with his display against Spurs probably one of his best so far.
Despite the competition at left-back, he is currently the first choice. Hincapie’s ability — and his natural role as a centre-back — adds plenty of value to the team. Should Arsenal make the deal permanent, they must pay £45 million to Leverkusen, and as things stand, they are ready to do so.
Arteta is hugely impressed by what Hincapie brings to the team and is ready to push the club to sign the versatile South American permanently. In the current market, there are clubs interested in the Ecuadorian amid recent links to Barcelona, but Arsenal have the upper hand owing to their buy option, which some reports claim is an obligation designed to be booked in the next accounting year.
Overall, the Gunners would be making a good decision to sign the Ecuadorian permanently, as he also seems settled in London. The fee represents good value compared to what other clubs are quoting for defenders, and Hincapie looks like a long-term option for Arteta’s side.
