Piero Hincapie is set to sign for Arsenal in a move which isn’t expected to prompt Mikel Arteta to use Myles Lewis-Skelly in midfield, Arsenal Insider understands.
The Ecuadorian enjoyed an exceptional season for Bayer Leverkusen last year, making 45 appearances, scoring three goals and registering two assists.
This form has sparked interest from a number of clubs throughout Europe, including the Gunners and Tottenham.
Arsenal are now advancing in a deal for Hincapie, with Andrea Berta agreeing a loan with an obligation to buy for the player.
Arsenal closing in on loan signing of Piero Hincapie
Arsenal have spent over £250 million on seven players already this summer.
Despite this, with Jakub Kiwior set to join Porto and Oleksandr Zinchenko still expected to leave N5, Berta and Arteta felt another left-sided defender was needed in the Gunners’ squad.
Hincapie emerged as the primary target for the North Londoners, and talks with Leverkusen have accelerated in recent days.
The Gunners have managed to negotiate a loan deal, with an obligatory purchase clause included, which will see the 23-year-old become a permanent Arsenal player in 12 months’ time.
Leverkusen were initially reluctant to agree to this deal, insisting the Premier League club meet his €60 million release clause.
However, Arsenal Insider understands that the German outfit eventually relented and agreed to Arsenal’s proposal, with the two clubs now working on the final transfer value, which will be paid in 2026.
Transfer expert Graeme Bailey told Arsenal Insider: “Leverkusen have agreed to Arsenal’s offer – Arsenal put the case forward about PSR and that they needed a loan to make the deal happen, and the Bundesliga outfit have accepted this.
“Leverkusen were desperate to keep Hincapie, but he has made it clear that he did not want to play for the club again.”
Piero Hincapie’s role and the impact on Myles Lewis-Skelly
There may be question marks about allocating such a significant sum of money to a player whose role at Arsenal isn’t clear.
Kiwior was a squad player for the Gunners, and if Hincapie is merely fulfilling the Pole’s role, then he won’t be a regular starter for Arteta.
One hypothesis is that Lewis-Skelly could be moved into midfield, but Bailey doesn’t believe this is the plan, with the Ecuador international expected to be added to the mix and to fight for a place.
“He [Hincapie] hasn’t been promised anything like that, that’s not how Arsenal operate,” Bailey told Arsenal Insider.
“None of their signings have been promised anything. That’s not how many clubs operate, really. Hincapie is going to play a role, he’ll play a plethora of different roles as Kiwior has at times.
“He’s taken Kiwior’s place in the squad. He’s going to play, and it’s up to him to get ahead of [Riccardo] Calafiori and Lewis-Skelly. He’ll think he can get ahead of Gabriel.
“We’ll see what happens. Lewis-Skelly is not necessarily considered a midfield option, because whose position would he take?”
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