Arsenal have a contingency plan in place if the club decide against signing Piero Hincapie on a permanent basis after his loan spell concludes.
Hincapie thriving in hybrid defensive role
In the 2025 summer transfer window, Hincapie was a late addition for Arsenal, joining for the season with a £45 million buy option. The 23-year-old, who is a regular international for Ecuador, can be utilised as either a left-back or centre-back and was a regular for Bayer Leverkusen in the years prior to his move.
Hincapie was a key component of the Xabi Alonso side that won an unbeaten domestic double in the 2023/24 season.
Hincapie-Arsenal
He has since integrated well within the Arsenal team as manager Mikel Arteta looks to, finally, lift a trophy with the Gunners once again. Arsenal entered 2026 at the top of the Premier League table, with a four-point gap between themselves and Pep Guardiola's Manchester City.
With a buy option already in place for Hincapie, whether Arsenal sign him or not will be deduced not by negotiation, but on how he performs for the remainder of the current campaign.
Should it be that Hincapie is not bought permanently, then it appears Arsenal are monitoring a player who would be a similar replacement.
Arsenal keen on Frankfurt defender Brown
According to Bild, as per ArsenalNews, Arsenal are interested in acquiring the services of Nathaniel Brown. Having joined Eintracht Frankfurt in 2024, the Germany international is enjoying a stellar campaign for the club.
The 22-year-old is comfortable either as a full-back or wing-back on the left-hand side and is "on the list" for Arsenal regarding transfer targets.
Eintracht Frankfurt defender Nathaniel Brown
No doubt aware of the talent they have, Frankfurt are reportedly asking for at least £57 million to part ways with Brown. Arsenal already have both Myles Lewis-Skelly and Riccardo Calafiori as permanent options for their left-back position, an area in which Hincapie is also comfortable playing.
As such, if Arsenal are to sign Brown, the deal would surely only be feasible if they chose not to sign Hincapie on a permanent basis.
The agreed fee for Hincapie is already cheaper and it may be that his greater versatility, in comparison to Brown, is what sways Arteta in his decision.
In any case, it is clear that Arsenal are planning for a multitude of potential outcomes at the end of the season, one which Arsenal will be desperate to end with some silverware to their name.
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He could be incredible for the Gunners