Arsenal Set Sights on Ninth Summer Signing as Transfer Battle with Spurs Heats Up
Arsenal’s summer spending spree might not be over just yet. Despite already splashing over £250 million on marquee arrivals, Mikel Arteta’s side is now making a strong push for Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapié — a move that could see them beat north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur to the highly-rated Ecuadorian.
The Gunners’ pursuit signals their ambition to challenge on all fronts in the upcoming season, and with the window ticking down, Arsenal’s interest in Hincapié could trigger a significant shift in the defensive market.
Arsenal’s Transfer Window: Big Money, Bigger Intentions
After a lacklustre 2024/25 campaign, Arsenal have gone full throttle in the transfer market, aiming to bridge the gap to domestic and European glory. Major arrivals like Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Cristhian Mosquera, Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyokeres, and Eberechi Eze have significantly bolstered the squad.
While Eze was initially thought to be the final marquee addition, the Gunners also secured a deal for 16-year-old Shamrock Rovers prodigy Victor Ozhianvuna — a nod to the club’s long-term vision.
The Hincapié Chase: Arsenal vs Spurs for Leverkusen Star
The latest twist in Arsenal’s window is their late move for Piero Hincapié — a 23-year-old defender who’s attracted interest from multiple Premier League sides, including Tottenham and Liverpool. Hincapié, currently at Bayer Leverkusen, has a €60 million (£52m) release clause in his contract and is reportedly eager to leave the Bundesliga before the deadline.
Capable of operating both as a centre-back and at left-back, Hincapié fits the versatile defensive profile Arteta values. Despite already boasting a deep defensive unit, Arsenal are keen to make a formal offer soon, with reports suggesting the player prefers a move to the Emirates over joining Spurs.
Romano & Plettenberg Confirm Arsenal’s Strong Push
Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Hincapié is intrigued by Arsenal’s project and has already begun initial discussions on personal terms. No formal bid has been submitted yet, but the deal could hinge on potential exits involving Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko — both linked with moves away.
Piero Hincapié considers Arsenal project as very attractive and he’s keen on the move… No bid yet as Kiwior-Porto and Zinchenko exits are important part of the domino.
Romano noted on X
Arsenal are now pushing strongly to sign Piero Hincapié after yesterday’s exclusive news that he wants to leave Bayer Leverkusen… The €60m release clause is valid, but he could be available for less. Hincapié is keen on Arsenal, while Tottenham are also in the race.
German journalist Florian Plettenberg also added fuel to the fire, stating
What’s Next for Arsenal?
With the transfer deadline approaching, all eyes are on Arsenal to see whether they can seal one final high-profile addition. If successful, Hincapié would become their ninth signing of a transformative summer window — one that clearly signals their intent to compete for major honours in 2025/26.
