Piero Hincapie has accepted Arsenal’s proposal after the Ecuadorian defender chose the Gunners over Tottenham in Monday’s transfer race. Bayer Leverkusen’s versatile 23-year-old becomes Arteta’s final target before the September 1st deadline, as the manager seeks additional defensive cover for the new campaign.
Tottenham initiated contact earlier in the day with a loan-plus-obligation package worth €60 million to match the player’s release clause. Arsenal countered with their own approach, and Hincapie quickly decided his future lies in North London’s red half rather than white. The situation mirrors the recent Eberechi Eze saga, where Spurs again watched a target slip away to their local rivals despite initial confidence.
The betting world has shifted away from traditional bookmakers as punters discover alternatives beyond standard UK operators. This sentiment is shared by platforms reviewed by Esports Insider UK, particularly non-GamStop betting sites that offer international customers superior bonuses and fewer limitations than regulated competitors. Licensed in jurisdictions such as Malta, Curaçao, and Gibraltar instead of under UK Gambling Commission oversight, these sites welcome players excluded from mainstream operators and provide cryptocurrency deposits plus enhanced promotional offers.
Jakub Kiwior’s Porto move paves the way for Hincapie’s Emirates arrival, with the Portuguese club finalizing a loan deal that becomes permanent for €26 million. Sporting director Andrea Berta moved quickly to secure the Leverkusen star’s agreement, placing Arsenal ahead of other suitors. The defender’s emotional reaction after Saturday’s defeat to Hoffenheim suggests his Bundesliga chapter nears its conclusion.
Hincapie plays centre-back or left-back with equal ease. His quick pace and accurate passes work well with how Arsenal likes to control games. Myles Lewis-Skelly could move into midfield more often once Hincapie arrives. The defender made 166 appearances for Leverkusen after he joined from CA Talleres in 2020. He was a key figure when Xabi Alonso’s team won the title.
Summer expenditure has reached £275 million across seven new signings, yet Hincapie’s purchase makes financial sense with Kiwior’s departure offsetting the cost. His Leverkusen deal expires in 2029, requiring Arsenal to negotiate below the release clause through structured payments. Several squad players await exits before Sunday’s deadline to complete the funding puzzle.
The window’s final days leave Arsenal with tight scheduling to finalise both Kiwior’s departure and Hincapie’s registration. Tottenham maintains interest, but the player’s preference appears settled in what represents the summer’s last major North London transfer duel.
Leverkusen’s reluctance to sell below market value could complicate negotiations, as the German side has already lost key players this summer and cannot afford further squad weakening. The club’s hierarchy remains firm on its valuation despite Hincapie’s desire to test himself in English football. Arsenal’s negotiating team faces pressure to balance the books whilst securing their defensive target before rival clubs enter the fray.
Success in this transfer would cap a remarkable window for the Gunners, who have addressed multiple positions despite the financial constraints of modern football. The club’s recruitment strategy has focused on versatile players capable of adapting to different tactical systems, with Hincapie fitting perfectly into this philosophy. His potential partnership with Gabriel Magalhães and William Saliba promises to strengthen Arsenal’s title ambitions significantly.
Club insiders say the move depends on how fast Arsenal sells its spare players. Several reserves have caught the eye of European clubs. These sales will show if Hincapie ends Arsenal’s summer or if more players arrive in September.