Piero Hincapie Joins Arsenal on Loan from Bayer Leverkusen
The North London rivalry has been a hot topic lately, especially after Tottenham faced a considerable 4-1 defeat against Arsenal twice this season. While those matches showcased Arsenal’s strength on the field, the Gunners have also made moves off the pitch, according to recent reports.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Ecuadorian player Piero Hincapie will be Arsenal’s first signing in the upcoming 2026 summer transfer window. The deal has reportedly been finalized behind the scenes.
Interestingly, Tottenham Hotspur played a role in Arsenal’s decision to sign Hincapie.
Arsenal Set to Make Piero Hincapie’s Transfer Permanent
Hincapie joined Arsenal from Bayer Leverkusen on an initial loan with a buy option of €52 million. Romano noted that Arsenal always planned to exercise this option at the end of the season.
The structure of this transfer is similar to Arsenal’s signing of David Raya from Brentford. Romano mentioned that all paperwork for Hincapie’s transfer is complete and includes a five-year contract for the defender.
Bayer Leverkusen will receive the €52 million fee and has negotiated a 10% sell-on clause from Arsenal.
Tottenham’s Interest Influenced Arsenal’s Signing
Notably, Tottenham’s interest was key in prompting Arsenal to act quickly to secure Hincapie.
Romano revealed that Tottenham aimed to bring Hincapie to their squad in the last summer window. However, Arsenal outmaneuvered Spurs by presenting a structured deal that ensured a permanent transfer, which convinced Leverkusen to accept their offer.
Romano commented during a recent YouTube segment, “One of the key factors in Arsenal’s decision to pursue Hincapie in August 2025 was the guarantee of a permanent transfer. If not, Tottenham were ready to pay and secure him immediately. Arsenal’s assurance of a permanent deal played a crucial role.”
Conclusion
While many thought Arsenal’s signing of Eze was a major victory over Tottenham last summer, it appears they have now secured two players from under their rivals’ noses, both of whom are significantly impacting this season.