Barcelona weighing up summer move for €50 million-rated Arsenal defender | OneFootball

FC Barcelona have been making all the right moves in the market so far even with the summer transfer window still not officially open.

A transfer for Anthony Gordon has been secured, with Barça agreeing a deal worth €70 million plus €10 million with Newcastle United.

The focus has now fully shifted to closing the deal for Atletico Madrid and Argentina striker Julian Alvarez, with an opening bid already in the works.

At the same time, the Catalans remain on the lookout for a new defender, having decided to cool their interest in Alessandro Bastoni.

Piero Hincapie a target

Piero Hincapie on Barcelona’s radar. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

In that regard, the Daily Mail reports that Barcelona are weighing up a move for Arsenal defender Piero Hincapie in the summer.

Even though it is not a priority for the moment, the La Liga champions remain keen on a new central defender, preferably left-footed, making the Ecuadorian a viable option for Hansi Flick & co.

Alessandro Bastoni had been their primary target, but a move for the Inter Milan and Italy defender has been ruled out due to multiple factors.

Now, Hincapie has emerged as an alternative, with Barcelona considering making an approach.

Deal difficult

However, signing Hincapie this summer will be anything but straightforward.

A deal for Hincapie will not be easy. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images For Premier League)

The 24-year-old centre-back joined the Gunners last summer on loan from Bayer Leverkusen, with the deal containing a permanent purchase option of £45 million.

Having played his part in Arsenal’s Premier League triumph, the Ecuadorian international is expected to be signed permanently by the Londoners by activating the clause, while Leverkusen will also retain a 10% future sell-on clause.

Once the permanent buy clause is triggered, Hincapie will sign a five-year contract at Arsenal, which has already been agreed.

Therefore, any move for the defender will be difficult to pull off for Barcelona in the upcoming summer window.

*Player valuation in title obtained from transfermarkt.com on date of publication