Overview

• Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano reports Arsenal are in direct talks with Bayer Leverkusen for Piero Hincapié after agreeing personal terms, with a proposal centered on a loan plus obligation to buy pending Leverkusen’s approval.
• Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes says the club has not received an official offer and notes Hincapié’s €60m release clause as the Bundesliga champions hold firm on their stance.
• Jakub Kiwior’s proposed move to Porto is tied to any Hincapié arrival, with Mirror reporting a five‑year deal agreed and a fee around €27m (£23m) awaiting Arsenal’s sign‑off once a replacement is secured.
• Reports indicate Hincapié favors Arsenal and is pushing for a total package closer to €50m, with Arsenal exploring structures including a loan‑to‑buy and, if the price drops, a possible straight purchase.
• Arsenal’s summer spend sits around £250–260m, including the signing of Eberechi Eze, and finance expert Adam Williams says a loan‑with‑obligation would defer Hincapié’s fee amortisation to 2026 under UEFA rules.