Barcelona have their sights on signing Arsenal defender Piero Hincapie after securing a deal for Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon, according to The Daily Mail.
The Spanish champions have been busy since the end of their La Liga campaign. They have already secured a £70 million move for Gordon, who is currently undergoing his medical.
The Blaugrana are also keen on landing Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez. A move won’t be easy due to their rivalry with Atletico, but the club are optimistic of signing the Argentine’s services.
The Daily Mail now report that the Catalan giants are eyeing a left-sided centre-back, and Hincapie has emerged as a top target for the summer. However, it will be a difficult deal to pull off.
The Gunners signed Hincapie on loan from Bayer Leverkusen last summer with a conditional obligation to buy for £45m. It has already been reported that he is poised to join permanently soon.
Barcelona are still weighing up an approach and seem prepared to test the Gunners’ resolve.
Arsenal unlikely to contemplate Hincapie sale
The Gunners have the best defensive record in the Premier League and in Europe this term. Hincapie has played a key role in those statistics despite being a regular left-back.
The Ecuadorian is primarily a left centre-back but has been impressive in the left-back slot for Arsenal. He was almost ever-present in the role between January and March before an untimely injury.
The left-footed star has been in and out of the starting XI in recent weeks, but has become a firm favourite among the faithful. The 24-year-old won the Player of the Month award for April.
Looking at his stats, Hincapie completed almost 90 percent of his passes in the recent league campaign. He has won four duels and made three recoveries per game with an average of one successful tackle.
The Leverkusen loanee took some time to adapt to the intensity, but has proved a brilliant acquisition. Arsenal look set to sign him permanently, and have no reason to contemplate his immediate exit.
Arsenal may have to reduce their squad numbers as well as recoup funds for a spending spree. Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard, Ben White and Gabriel Martinelli are probable candidates who could depart.
We don’t see the club making changes in the heart of the defence or at left-back. The only defensive signing could be a right-back. Newcastle United’s Toni Livramento is an option to replace White.
Stats from Sofascore.com