Arsenal are working to sign Ecuadorian defender Piero Hincapié from Bayer Leverkusen, according to David Ornstein.
This follows Fabrizio Romano’s report that Tottenham had approached Leverkusen for the 23-year-old centre-back.
For a potential release clause fee of €60m, which club would benefit the most from his signature?
Player profile
Hincapié has looked assured in a back three under Xabi Alonso, thriving in the Bundesliga with an aggressive defensive style. His tactical awareness and ability to cover the left side gave Alejandro Grimaldo licence to push forward, safe in the knowledge that transitions were under control. On the ball, he’s valued for his composure, progressive carrying and reliable passing in the first phase, often helping Leverkusen break lines.
That aggression once worked against him. In 2023 he became the youngest player to collect three red cards in a single Bundesliga season. But under Alonso’s guidance, it has been harnessed into a strength. Last campaign he won 62.6% of his duels, turning his edge into a tool for recovery and control.
The weakness lies in his physicality. He can be outmuscled by stronger forwards, a concern given the physical profile of many Premier League strikers.
Red or white?
For Arsenal, Hincapié could cover both LB and LCB, as an alternative to Riccardo Calafiori. He further enhances their defensive depth which could be crucial across the season, with Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko expected to leave before the window closes.
Hincapié is very quick for a centre-back, and at left back would provide overlapping runs for Eberechi Eze to cut inside and operate in central areas.
Tottenham have been desperate for left sided defensive depth for a long time since the departures of Belgian duo Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld, as well as the winding down of Ben Davies career and the injuries that befell Ryan Sessegnon.
Last season, Tottenham finished a catastrophic seventeenth, and went through long periods without any of their starting back four fit.
With Destiny Udogie and Mickey van de Ven missing large portions of last season through injury it would be logical to get a player who can cover for both. His positional versatility would be an asset to Thomas Frank who likes to tinker with formations.
Overall, at Arsenal and Tottenham he would at worst provide sufficient depth and at best be important in platforming each team to dominate games in possession. It’s hard to argue against him being a dynamic player, and both sides would benefit from his performance level.
Whilst Arsenal would see him as an upgrade to their depth, Tottenham may see him as someone who transforms their starting eleven.
Hincapié is however said to prioritise a move to Arsenal according to Ornstein, so it remains to be seen how yet another transfer tussle between the North London clubs plays out.
