Arsenal and Tottenham are set to go head-to-head in the transfer market again after the Gunners signed Eberechi Eze from under their north London rivals’ nose
11:07, 25 Aug 2025
Mikel Arteta - Thomas Frank
Arsenal and Tottenham are set to go head-to-head in the transfer market again
Arsenal and Tottenham are set to go head-to-head to sign Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie.
The Gunners beat their north London rivals to the signing of Eberechi Eze over the weekend, with Arsenal unveiling their new £67.5million signing just days after Spurs reached an agreement with Crystal Palace for his signature.
And it appears that Arsenal are setting out to steal another signing from under Spurs’ nose with reports that 23-year-old Ecuador international Hincapie has been approach by both club.
Fabrizio Romano reported earlier on Monday morning that Tottenham made an approach to the Bundesliga club to sign the centre-back.
A loan deal with an obligation to buy for around £52m was proposed, with the figure the same value as the defender’s release clause. Hincapie reportedly wants to leave the BayArena and Spurs have started discussing personal terms.
Piero Hincapie
Piero Hincapie wants to leave Bayer Leverkusen
However, Arsenal have reportedly swiftly entered the fray with The Athletic since saying that Arsenal are working on a deal to sign the Ecuadorian.
The Gunners’ move is said to be subject to player exits, amid Jakub Kiwior in talks with Porto. Arsenal are reportedly prioritising a move for Hincapie but efforts are ongoing to take the fee below his £52m release clause.
Hincapie joined Leverkusen in 2021 from Argentine club Talleres after impressing at Independiente del Valle in his homeland.
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He’s played 166 times for Leverkusen to date, including 26 league appearances in their maiden Bundesliga title win. Hincapie also won the DFB Pokal in 2024 and the German Super Cup.
Capable of playing left-back as comfortably as centre-back, he has made 46 caps for Ecuador.
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The two north London rivals have both started the season with maximum points after Arsenal hammered a woeful Leeds United 5-0 on Saturday evening, a couple of hours after Spurs beat Manchester City 2-0 at the Etihad.