Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen have agreed a season-long loan deal for Piero Hincapie, including an option to buy the Ecuador international.
The Athletic reports that the Gunners can seal a deal for €52 million next summer (plus a 10% sell-on) with the player already agreeing a five-year contract.
Hincapie, 23, effectively replaces Jakub Kiwior, who is on the verge of joining Porto on a loan-to-buy deal. Comfortable at both centre-back and left-back, he’ll add depth and competition on the left side of defence.
Leverkusen will be disappointed to lose a player instrumental to their success under Xabi Alonso, but can potentially console themselves with a healthy profit, having signed him from CA Talleres in 2021 for just €6.35 million (per Transfermarkt).
Hincapie will undertake his medical this weekend. Assuming all goes to plan, he’ll become the first Ecuadorian to play for Arsenal and the fourth South American in Mikel Arteta’s squad.