£52m player already knew Arsenal wanted to sign him last week as Gunners look to make late move

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Arsenal are still in the market for one more player, despite spending in excess of £250 million already this summer.

Andrea Berta has overseen an unprecedented window of incoming business, acquiring seven players, strengthening in almost every position on the pitch.

Eberechi Eze was the latest to be added to Mikel Arteta’s ranks, signing for £67.5 million from Crystal Palace last week, joining the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke and Martin Zubimendi through the entrance door at the Emirates.

The Gunners are now eyeing a versatile defender to replace Jakub Kiwior, who is close to joining Porto.

• READ MORE: Confirmed Arsenal summer 2025 transfer ins and outs, signings and done deals

Piero Hincapie has known for ‘four or five days’ about Arsenal interest

Reports emerged on Monday suggesting that Arsenal are interested in signing Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie.

This news coincided with indications that Kiwior is set to join Porto, with the Gunners clearly moving quickly to source a replacement for the Pole.

Like Kiwior, Hincapie can operate as a left-centre-back or as a left-back, and thus, it makes sense that Arsenal would swiftly pivot to the Ecuadorian.

However, this isn’t a move that has come completely out of the blue, with Ben Jacobs revealing that Hincapie has been aware of the Gunners’ interest for four or five days.

“I think the player has known, from what I’m told, that Arsenal were there for four or five days,” he said on the Highbury Squad YouTube channel.

“I think Tottenham probably got wind of this a bit earlier than the reporting came out. So even though they have had talks with the player, there’s been nothing as far as I’m aware on the Leverkusen side, which means that if Arsenal choose to proceed, they should have a relatively clear run.”

Arsenal should aim for a loan with an obligation to buy for Piero Hincapie

The issue for Arsenal in their pursuit of Hincapie won’t be competition from Tottenham or anyone else.

The problem is more likely to be whether they have the PSR headroom to enact a deal, and whether Leverkusen would be willing to accept a fee lower than they’d have expected for the player.

The 23-year-old reportedly has a £52 million release clause, which Arsenal aren’t keen on paying.

Leverkusen are unlikely to accept an offer well below this value, around the £35 million mark, and thus, the Gunners should take a different approach.

Berta should offer the Bundesliga club a loan with an obligation to buy, with this obligation close to the £52 million valuation.

That way, Leverkusen are guaranteed the money and Arsenal can kick the can down the road regarding the fee.

Given the German outfit sold Florian Wirtz for over £100 million this summer, they’re unlikely to be in desperate need of immediate cash, so may agree to this compromise.