**Real Madrid have reportedly enquired about Arsenal defender Piero Hincapie, with Jose Mourinho looking for another left-footed centre-back during the summer window.**
The Ecuador international only arrived in north London from Bayer Leverkusen last year, initially on a season-long loan that included an obligation to buy at the end of his first campaign. That makes any move complicated, particularly after Hincapie helped Mikel Arteta’s side win the Premier League title and reach the Champions League final.
According to [ESPN’s report on Real Madrid’s interest in Piero Hincapie](https://www.espn.com.sg/soccer/story/_/id/49147076/real-madrid-enquire-arsenal-piero-hincapie-sources), multiple sources say Madrid have made an enquiry, although further business at the Bernabeu is expected to depend on departures.
Why Arsenal will resist a quick Hincapie exit
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Hincapie’s value to Arsenal is obvious: he gives Arteta a left-sided centre-back who can also cover full-back, a profile that is difficult and expensive to replace. Madrid have already added Ibrahima Konate and are said to want defensive balance under Mourinho, but Arsenal’s position should be firm so soon after structuring the Bayer Leverkusen deal.
The 24-year-old is currently with Ecuador at the World Cup, so there is no immediate club-level resolution expected. For Arsenal, though, the enquiry is still significant because it shows how quickly Hincapie’s squad role has become visible to Europe’s biggest clubs.