Arsenal have agreed a deal to sign defender Piero Hincapie from Bayer Leverkusen (h/t David Ornstein).
The Gunners will take him on loan and pay €52 million to sign him permanently. They also agreed to a 10 percent sell-on fee.
Arsenal turned to Hincapie with Jakub Kiwior set to complete a move to FC Porto. The Ecuadorian is poised to sign a five-year deal after undergoing a medical this weekend.
Hincapie caught the eye with Bayer Leverkusen, where he operated as a centre-back. He has also played as a left-back for his national team.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has used centre-backs Riccardo Calafiori, Ben White and Jurrien Timber as full-backs in his set-up.
Hincapie is also versatile enough to fill in at both positions.
The 23-year-old helped Leverkusen keep eight clean sheets in 32 Bundesliga appearances last term, bagging two goals and two assists.
He helped to keep three clean sheets in the Champions League.
Hincapie will become Arsenal’s eighth summer signing,
Eberechi Eze, Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi, Kepa Arrizabalaga, and Noni Madueke have joined the club.
The Gunners have also added Cristhian Mosquera and Christian Norgaard to the ranks.
With the squad now stacked in every department, there can be no hiding place for Arteta.
Arsenal’s new sporting director, Andrea Berta, has delivered a near-perfect transfer window.
They have plugged defensive gaps and added firepower and creativity in midfield and attack.
After three consecutive seasons of falling just short, finishing second in the Premier League twice, patience is wearing thin.
The Gunners are no longer outsiders but genuine contenders with the depth and quality to compete on all fronts.
