Overview

• Multiple reports say Arsenal are pushing to sign Piero Hincapie and are prepared to activate a clause of about £51–52m before the 1 September deadline, with no deal announced yet.
• Hincapie, 23, has made 166 appearances for Bayer Leverkusen and earned 46 caps for Ecuador, offering the ability to play centre-back and left-back.
• Mikel Arteta is reported to view Hincapie as an ideal left-sided addition to provide cover and competition to a back line anchored by William Saliba and Gabriel.
• The pursuit is linked in reporting to Jakub Kiwior moving toward Porto, with Hincapie framed as the intended squad replacement on the left side of defense.
• Opinion pieces suggest Leverkusen could be weakened and Jarrell Quansah’s valuation could be affected, a possible knock-on for Liverpool that remains speculative.