Arsenal have reportedly begun to look at alternatives to Piero Hincapie if they don’t sign him permanently.
Hincapie joined from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer, on a one-year loan deal until the end of the season. The Gunners did agree a £45m option to buy Hincapie permanently, which they will need to decide on at the end of the season.
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There is no indication of what their decision will be yet, but Hincapie has played a solid role in their current title charge. He has made 22 appearances in all competitions, providing one assist, and becoming a very reliable backup to the likes of Gabriel and William Saliba.
However, there is a chance that Arsenal could opt against signing Hincapie on a permanent basis, and they could decide to sign an alternative instead.
Arsenal lining up £52m Lukeba bid
RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba is reportedly generating a lot of transfer interest ahead of the summer, as the 23-year-old has shown both in the Bundesliga and for the France international side that he can be one of the world’s best defenders.
According to TeamTalk, Arsenal are keeping tabs on Lukeba as a potential alternative to Hincapie should they decide against signing him permanently for £45m in the summer.
Lukeba has a £78m release clause, but it is understood that RB Leipzig would be willing to sell him for around £52m, which is just £7m more than it would cost to make Hincapie’s move permanent.
This season, the French international has made 20 appearances for the Bundesliga side, scoring one goal, and providing one assist. He has helped Leipzig to be one of the best defensive sides in the German leagues.
It is understood that Lukeba was on Chelsea’s radar in the January transfer window, but they opted to go after eventual Liverpool signing Jeremy Jacquet instead.
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