Arsenal are set to complete the signing of Piero Hincapie, with the Ecuadorian centre-back due for a medical after the Gunners struck a full agreement with Bayer Leverkusen.
The 22-year-old has been on Arsenal’s radar for over a year, but the opportunity only opened up in the final stretch of the transfer window. Tottenham also showed interest, but Arsenal moved swiftly, convincing Hincapie that their project under Mikel Arteta was the best fit.
With Fabrizio Romano issuing his “here we go” and David Ornstein confirming the finer details, the transfer is all but done.
📑 Deal structure in detail
Type: Loan with obligation to buy in 2026.
- Total package: €52m (£45m/$60.8m).
- €6m (£5.2m/$7m) loan fee payable this season.
- €46m (£39.8m/$53.8m) guaranteed transfer fee next year.
- Contract length: Five years once the permanent deal kicks in.
- Release clause avoided: His Leverkusen release clause stood at €60m (£51.9m/$70.1m). Arsenal negotiated €8m under that figure.
- By structuring it as a loan-to-buy, Arsenal ease their short-term financial burden while securing one of Europe’s most highly-rated young defenders.
🔄 Knock-on effect: Jakub Kiwior to Porto
Hincapie arrival paves the way for Jakub Kiwior to depart. The Polish international has struggled to secure a consistent role under Arteta and is now heading to Porto:
Type: Loan with obligation to buy.
- Loan fee: €2m (£1.7m/$2.3m).
- Obligation fee: €17m (£14.7m/$19.9m).
- Potential add-ons: Could take the deal to €27m (£23.4m/$31.6m).
- Sell-on clause: Arsenal retain a percentage of any future sale.
- Kiwior guaranteed total: €19m.
- Net cost to Arsenal: €33m (£28.6m/$38.6m).
- Given the structured payments and resale protections, this represents strong business for the Gunners — investing in a higher-ceiling player while recovering a decent return on Kiwior.
🛡️ Tactical fit & why Arteta wanted Hincapie
Profile:
- A left-footed centre-back (rare commodity).
- 22 years old, already a regular for Ecuador’s national team.
- Strong in progressive passing and carrying the ball into midfield.
- Comfortable as a left-sided CB in a back three.
- Has experience filling in at left-back in Leverkusen’s fluid system.
- Why Arsenal moved:
- With Gabriel Magalhães the only natural left-footed centre-back in the squad, Arsenal needed depth.
- Hincapie provides immediate competition and long-term succession planning.
