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Arsenal closing in on Pedro Hincapie as they hijack second Tottenham transfer target

Arsenal closing in on Pedro Hincapie as they hijack second Tottenham transfer target

Arsenal look set to deal another blow to their north London rivals after already snatching Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace in a £67.5m move.

Now, attention has turned to Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that the 22-year-old has given the green light to join the Gunners — leaving Tottenham bracing for yet another painful defeat in the transfer market.

Why Arsenal are in pole position

Mikel Arteta’s side are preparing a formal proposal for Hincapie structured as an initial loan with a mandatory purchase clause.

Crucially, this plan would deliver Leverkusen guaranteed funds sooner than Spurs’ rival package, which, despite equalling the player’s release clause, deferred payments until 2026.

While Arsenal’s final outlay may fall slightly short of Tottenham’s headline figure, Leverkusen’s desire for earlier returns, coupled with the defender’s preference for Arsenal, has tipped the balance firmly towards the Emirates.

Arsenal outgoings

The incoming addition is expected to trigger a reshuffle at the back. Jakub Kiwior is closing in on a move to FC Porto on loan with an obligation to buy for around £25m, covering a significant portion of the Hincapie deal.

Meanwhile, Oleksandr Zinchenko’s future also looks uncertain, with an exit increasingly likely. For Arteta, the shake-up could allow him to refresh his defensive options with further added quality, without compromising the club’s financial stability.

What will Pedro Hincapie bring to the Premier League?

Hincapie has built a reputation in the Bundesliga as one of the most versatile young defenders in Europe.

Naturally left-footed, he is comfortable operating both as a centre-back and as a left-back in a back four or three, giving Arteta tactical flexibility. His pace allows him to recover quickly in defensive transitions, a crucial asset in the Premier League, where counter-attacks are swift and unforgiving.

Equally, the Ecuadorian international is composed on the ball, adept at stepping into midfield to progress play, and aggressive in one-on-one duels. That blend of technical quality and defensive steel makes him a natural fit for Arteta’s possession-heavy system and strong defence, while his experience in Leverkusen’s title-winning campaign under Xabi Alonso suggests he has the mentality to thrive under pressure. For Arsenal, he would add depth, balance, and a long-term solution on the left side of defence.

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