Arsenal closing in on eighth summer signing after medical booked

Arsenal closing in on eighth summer signing after medical booked originally appeared on The Sporting News

Piero Hincapie is closing in on a move to Arsenal after arriving in London on Saturday to finalise his switch from Bayer Leverkusen, The Sporting News understands.

The 23-year-old centre-back is set to join the Gunners on an initial loan deal with a buy option worth €52 million (around $56m).

Mikel Arteta's side have have been pushing to get the deal completed ahead of the transfer deadline on September 1, with the Spaniard keen to strengthen his defensive options following Jakub Kiwior's imminent departure to Porto.

Hincapie has been on Arsenal's radar for several months, with scouts following his progress closely at Leverkusen.

An Ecuador international who has built a reputation as one of the most promising young defenders in Europe, helping Leverkusen lift the Bundesliga title last season.

Sporting director Andrea Berta initially explored a permanent transfer earlier in the window, but negotiations with Leverkusen proved complex.

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The loan with an obligation to buy was eventually agreed, giving the Premier League club flexibility while still securing long-term control of the player.

Arteta has been vocal about the need for more depth at the back, particularly given the injuries that disrupted last year's title push. 

The Gunners made their seventh signing of the summer when they confirmed the £67.5m ($89m) arrival of Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace last weekend.

Arteta recently made it clear he is delighted with the club's business so far.

"Very happy," Arteta told Sky Sports News.

"A lot has happened during the summer. Obviously, we were losing some big players as well. A few players were still injured for a long time.

"So, I really liked what we've done. The type of characters, personalities we have recruited, the way we have increased the quality and the depth of the squad at the same time, and the way especially they have connected and collaborated with the team.

"I think it was [a time to refresh]. The demands we are putting on those players, the standards, and the demand that we have now as a football club, as a team… we required this and, as I said, we acted. The club was very aggressive, very determined. Andrea has done a fantastic job there with his team and I'm very, very glad with the outcome."

Hincapie is expected to complete medical tests in the coming hours before signing his contract with Arsenal.

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