The Arsenal look is set to take a major step towards pursuing Bayer Lebakusen defender Piero Hincapie, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that Ecuadorian international has given green light to its travel to North London.
According to Romano, individual terms have already been agreed and once the club finalizes the transfer structure, a long-term deal is ready and ready to be signed.
Impressed by the Bundesliga, Hincapy is said to prefer to switch to Arsenal.
The 23-year-old sees the project under Mikel Arteta as the right next step in his career, but Arteta himself is understood to be a huge admirer of the defender, and considers him an ideal signature that adds depth and competition to the entire backline.
Arsenal is ready to make a Clown Hincapee offer
Arsenal’s plan is to table the opening proposals that are likely to take the form of an initial loan agreement with a purchase obligation. Such a structure gives the gunner some flexibility in this window, while ensuring a long-term solution for the defensive unit.
It also fits Arsenal’s strategy of spreading costs across multiple windows while competing for top-level players.
Hincapy movements can also cause movements elsewhere. Romano notes that Jakub Kiwior is expected to join FC Porto, and discussions are progressing well.
The Polish defender has struggled to solidify his normal starting point since arriving at the Emirates, and Arsenal’s Hincapey pursuit shows Arteta is looking for a slightly different profile to strengthen his defensive core.
Mikel Arteta continues to spend the summer
If completed, the Hincapee signature represents another statement of intent from Arsenal as it aims to challenge the Premier League title again and have a deeper run in the Champions League.
Personal terms are no longer impaired, and Hincapy’s preferences are revealed, so all eyes are in the official Arsenal bid.
The defender has been called a “warrior” by his agents in the past.
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