Arsenal are on course to land central defender Piero Hincapie from Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen. Hincapie will join the project at Emirates Stadium under Mikel Arteta on a loan move for this season.
Mikel Arteta and his negotiating team have been extremely busy this summer, landing the correct players for the Spanish manager. The Gunners transfer efforts over the summer have largely remained focused on attacking reinforcements. The club are now inches away from landing Piero Hincapie, known to be thought of as the ‘next Sergio Ramos’.
According to a report published by Metro, Arsenal’s push to sign Hincapie this week has borne fruit with the centre back set to arrive in north London. Arsenal have tabled a few offers earlier in this window, but without any luck.
What’s the structure of the deal?
Hincapie arrives for the current season on loan deal, with an obligation to buy the defender for £45 million next summer. This figure is roughly £7 million lower than the current release clause of the 23 year old Ecuadorian.
The centre back is set to arrive in London this weekend to undergo his medical. An official announcement can be expected from the Gunners once all the formalities are completed and in place. Hincapie is expected to sign a 5-year contract at the Emirates Stadium.
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Why did Arsenal leave it so late?
The Gunners showed their keen interest during several stages in the window but were not willing to meet the £52 million asking price. The club flirted with offers in and around the figure but were not successful in convincing the top brass at Bayer Leverkusen.
Arsenal made a strong push in negotiations this week and will reap the benefits of it with a world-class defender destined to join the squad under Mikel Arteta. Hincapie’s former coach, Xabi Alonso, was full of praise for the defender during his time managing the defender and has been quoted as saying –
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“I think he’s a very modern defender,
He can play in different positions. He’s served us as a full-back in recent games, but has also been the left centre-back when we’ve played with a back three.
He’s aggressive, is making better decisions when he has the ball, backs himself more to play diagonal passes and get in behind.
It motivates me to have a player with his potential and desire because he helps you and you help him. He’s a great player.”
The Gunners make the difficult trip to Anfield this Sunday on the back of two fantastic victories against Manchester United and Leeds United. The vital clash against Liverpool at such an early stage of the season could help prepare Arteta & Co. for big games ahead in the campaign.