Mikel Arteta now thinks he’s found the ‘ideal signing’ for Arsenal to make in the final week of the transfer window

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Despite already signing seven players this summer, Arsenal are looking to add one more to Mikel Arteta’s ranks before the transfer window closes.

The Gunners have been as active as they ever have been on the incoming front, spending in excess of £250 million.

Eberechi Eze signed from Crystal Palace for £67.5 million last week, while the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke and Martin Zubimendi all joined the North Londoners for more than £50 million each.

Arteta and Andrea Berta still aren’t content with the squad they have at their disposal, feeling one final piece is needed in the jigsaw.

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

Mikel Arteta views Piero Hincapie as an ‘ideal signing’

Arsenal supporters likely thought that Berta’s incoming business for the summer was done after completing a deal for Eze last week.

However, Fabrizio Romano revealed that Berta could sign one more player before the window shuts on Friday, and serious developments have now emerged on this front.

Arteta has identified Piero Hincapie as his ‘ideal signing’ and the Gunners are working to secure the player’s services before Monday’s deadline.

Romano has revealed that Hincapie has agreed personal terms on a switch to the Emirates, and that Arsenal are now preparing a loan offer with an obligation to buy.

Arteta is a huge admirer of the Ecuadorian, and likely views him as the perfect player to fulfil the vacant role left by Jakub Kiwior, but to a higher level.

It remains to be seen whether Bayer Leverkusen will accept the Gunners’ proposal, although the North London club do now have leverage in the deal after agreeing terms with the 23-year-old.

Jakub Kiwior’s statistics vs Piero Hincapie’s statistics

Jakub Kiwior is now expected to sign for Porto, with the Portuguese giants tabling a loan offer with an obligation to buy worth €25 million for the Pole.

In essence, Hincapie will be a direct replacement for Kiwior, operating at both left-back and centre-back.

However, it’s not hard to see why Arteta views the Leverkusen man as an ‘ideal signing’, as he’s certainly an upgrade on the Porto-bound man.

While Hincapie is slightly more loose in possession than his Polish counterpart, he is also significantly more progressive with his distribution.

More front-footed and willing to be aggressive high up the pitch, the Ecuador international is also much more dominant in the air than Kiwior.

If Arsenal are able to pull off this upgrade, their squad will be in excellent shape.