Real Madrid have enquired about Arsenal defender Piero Hincapie, according to ESPN.
The La Liga outfit have been busy during the off-season, and they have already signed Ibrahima Konate and Marc Cucurella from Liverpool and Chelsea to bolster their defence.
Inter Milan’s Denzel Dumfries is also poised to strengthen their backline.
ESPN now reveal that Madrid manager Jose Mourinho wants another left-footed centre-back, who can also play as a full-back. Los Blancos have made an enquiry for Hincapie.
Madrid will have to sell a central defender to spend on another player in the position this summer. It is claimed that they are open to offers for club graduate Raul Asencio.
Arsenal unlikely to part ways with Hincapie
The Ecuador international was a surprise signing on loan from Bayer Leverkusen before the transfer deadline last summer, but he had a brilliant debut season with 39 appearances.
Hincapie started off as a regular substitute for the Gunners, but got plenty of minutes as a centre-back after Gabriel Magalhaes picked up an unfortunate injury with Brazil in November.
The 24-year-old went on to secure a regular starting role at left-back. Riccardo Calafiori’s untimely injury in late December paved the way for Hincapie to cement the spot.
Calafiori retained his starting position towards the end of the campaign, but manager Mikel Arteta showed his trust towards Hincapie in both major competition finals.
Hincapie started the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City in March. He was once again chosen for the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain last month.
The Leverkusen loanee picked up a possible muscular injury in extra time against PSG, but he showed tremendous resolve to carry on after Arsenal had used up all six substitutes.
Hincapie clearly had a solid campaign on loan. He won more than 60 percent of his duels with an average of two tackles. He also made three recoveries and four clearances per outing.
Arsenal agreed on a conditional obligation to buy him for £45 million last summer, and The Athletic have revealed that the versatile defender will sign a five-year contract next month.
Madrid were heavily linked with Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori earlier in June, before opting to land Cucurella. Hincapie has now emerged as a target for manager Mourinho.
The Portuguese tactician obviously likes to work with defenders who possess fine defensive attributes, and Hincapie would provide much-needed solidity to Los Blancos’ backline.
Madrid may have made an enquiry for the player through his entourage, but Arsenal are highly unlikely to sell him, given they are just about to sign him on a permanent basis.
Barring Los Blancos making a hefty £70-75m bid, we don’t see Arsenal contemplating a sale.
Stats from Sofascore.com