Arsenal agree personal terms with Bayer Leverkusen defender, Piero Hincapié | OneFootball

Piero Hincapié has agreed personal terms with Arsenal as a dream move to the Premier League nears, according to Fabrizio Romano, Football.London, and others.

With Polish defender, Jakub Kiwior expected to head to Porto, Hincapié is a priority for Arsenal Head Coach, Mikel Arteta.

Whilst some reports suggest that Arsenal will activate Hincapie’s £52 million release clause triggering an immediate transfer, Arsenal are initially seeking a loan deal with Bayer Leverkusen, including an obligation to buy.

However, as Bild report, Leverkusen’s stance is clear: Arsenal must meet the amount stipulated in the release clause and the transfer will only happen under Bayer’s terms.

If Arsenal do meet Bayer’s terms, Hincapié will become Arsenal’s eighth signing of the summer transfer window,

The defender was widely sought after, with north London rivals, Tottenham Hotspur in hot pursuit, but Hincapié only had eyes for Arsenal.

Hincapié is is under contract until 2029 with Bayer Leverkusen but informed the club of his desire to leave earlier in the summer.

The 23-year-old, who can play centre-back or on the left, has made 165 appearances for the Bundesliga side over the past four seasons and has 46 international caps with Ecuador.

Arteta is understood to want a left-sided defender to increase the squad’s defensive depth but Hincapié will be pushing for an immediate starting place.

All going well, he could make his first appearance away to Premier League champions, Liverpool at the weekend.

For Bayer Leverkusen, it makes their Bundesliga campaign look even harder.

After a surprise home defeat to relegation favourites, Hoffenheim at the weekend, Leverkusen will be hoping to get their first win of the season away to Bremen on Saturday.

GGFN | Oscar O’Mara