Arsenal are once again making strong moves in the transfer market as they push hard to sign Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapié. The 21-year-old Ecuadorian international has been on the Gunners’ radar for several windows, but this summer feels different as the North London side look determined to get the deal over the line. After narrowly missing out on the Premier League title last season, Mikel Arteta and his staff are working to add quality and depth to key areas, with defense being one of the most important positions to strengthen.

Piero Hincapié has built a strong reputation in Germany since moving to Bayer Leverkusen from Talleres in 2021. He quickly adapted to the Bundesliga and became a regular starter, showing maturity and consistency beyond his years. His performances also made him a crucial part of Ecuador’s national team, where he has been trusted in high-pressure situations including World Cup qualifiers. A left-footed centre-back who can also play at left-back, Hincapié’s versatility is one of his biggest strengths. He is calm on the ball, capable of building play from the back, and defensively intelligent with good positioning and anticipation. His pace and recovery ability make him a perfect fit for the fast and physical nature of the Premier League.

For Arsenal, the appeal of signing Hincapié goes beyond just adding another defender. William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães formed one of the strongest partnerships in the league last season, but the lack of quality cover became clear when injuries and fatigue struck. Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko offer options, but Hincapié would bring natural balance as a left-footed defender and provide real competition across multiple positions. With the Gunners back in the Champions League, Arteta knows the squad must be strong enough to handle the demands of competing on multiple fronts.

Bayer Leverkusen are not expected to let one of their top talents leave easily, but Arsenal’s intent to push hard indicates how much they value the player. Reports suggest that Hincapié is open to a Premier League move, and the chance to join a club with Arsenal’s ambition could be a decisive factor. Edu Gaspar, the club’s sporting director, has already built a reputation for closing difficult deals, and Arsenal fans will be hoping he can deliver once again.

If the transfer happens, Hincapié would add depth, balance, and long-term potential to the Arsenal squad. At just 21, he is already experienced at the highest level and has the qualities to develop into one of the best defenders in Europe. His signing would not only strengthen Arsenal’s defense but also give Arteta more tactical flexibility in big matches. With Premier League rivals also strengthening, Arsenal know they cannot stand still if they want to challenge for titles again.

The pursuit of Piero Hincapié highlights how serious Arsenal are about learning from past mistakes. The club are not just building a squad for today but for the future, ensuring that the foundations are strong in every area of the pitch. For fans, the idea of seeing a young, fearless and talented defender like Hincapié in red and white is an exciting prospect. Nothing has been finalized yet, but the push from Arsenal is strong, and if this move goes through it could prove to be one of the smartest signings of the summer transfer window.