North London Battle: Arsenal hijack Spurs’ move for Hincapie

Arsenal are preparing to swoop in and hijack Tottenham Hotspur’s move for Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapié, according to David Ornstein.

The 23-year-old Ecuadorian centre-back has been on the radar of several top clubs after impressing in the Bundesliga since his arrival from CA Talleres in 2021. During his time at Leverkusen, Hincapié has racked up 166 appearances and established himself as one of Europe’s most promising young defenders, while also earning 46 international caps.

Arsenal vs Tottenham in Transfer Battle

Tottenham have already approached Leverkusen with a loan-to-buy offer, as reported by Fabrizio Romano, but Arsenal now appear to be leading the race. Ornstein reveals that Hincapié has made his preference clear—he wants Arsenal over Spurs.

Leverkusen would ideally like to keep hold of the defender, but they are open to his departure if his £51m release clause is met. Arsenal, meanwhile, are pushing to strike a deal at a more reasonable fee, though any move is expected to hinge on player sales. The futures of Jakub Kiwior, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Fabio Vieira, and Reiss Nelson could be key in financing the transfer.

Why Arsenal Want Hincapié

Mikel Arteta is determined to bolster his defensive options after injuries to Gabriel Magalhães last season disrupted Arsenal’s title challenge. The Gunners have already added Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia, but Hincapié would further strengthen their backline and provide serious depth heading into a campaign where they aim to compete both domestically and in Europe.

With the player leaning towards a switch to the Emirates, Arsenal look well-placed to beat Spurs to his signature. If they pull it off, it would be another big statement in what is shaping up to be a fascinating transfer window for North London’s rivals.