
According to reports in Italy, Arsenal are considering making a move for Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Piero Hincapie. The Gunners are looking to sign the youngster to bolster their defensive options, but will face competition from multiple Serie A clubs.
The 20-year-old is a left-sided centre-back and is valued at around €25m (£22million) by the German club who don’t necessarily have to sell him. Last season, the player made 27 appearances in the Bundesliga (stats via Transfermarkt). He scored his first league goal during a 7-1 victory over Greuther Furth.

Leverkusen have won just two of their eight league games this term and are 16th in the Bundesliga, so their players could be looking for greener pastures. If the German side’s poor form continues, Arsenal could tempt the likes of Piero Hincapie for a move to the Premier League.
As reported by Italian publication Calciomercato (via TEAMtalk), Arsenal are eyeing a move for Piero Hincapie and currently, lead a four-club race for the defender. Italian sides AC Milan, SSC Napoli and AS Roma also seem to be interested in signing the Ecuador international.
Meanwhile, according to Football Insider, Arsenal’s arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur have also expressed interest in the Leverkusen centre-back. Spurs managing director Fabio Paratici has made contact with the player’s camp over a potential deal.
Player Profile
Piero Hincapie moved to Bayer Leverkusen from Argentinian side Talleres in 2021. Since then, he has become a regular in the club’s defence and played 33 games last season.
Despite being just 20-years-old, Hincapie has already managed 21 appearances for the Ecuador national team. He is a typical modern central defender, with his ball-playing capabilities being one of his strongest suits. He is also known for his physical attributes, he is well-built, and has good movement to play out of defence.
Mesmerising from Esmeraldas' finest export. 🏖️🇪🇨 @PieroHincapie
Ready for World Cup in 2022, the man from the Northwest coast of Ecuador has found amor in the #Bundesliga for @Bayer04_en. ❤️😊✨ pic.twitter.com/3lN8r99Zp7
— Bundesliga English (@Bundesliga_EN) October 2, 2022
He is aggressive and brave, winning duels both on the ground and in the air, although he too often attacks the ball from the wrong side. He is comfortable on the ball, can carry it forward past the opposition’s first line of defence, and can pick a pass over distance.
However, he shows lack of consistency which is something you can expect from a youngster, as he is taking his first steps in professional football in a foreign country. His physical and technical qualities are exciting; his character does not show any flaw, and his tactical understanding is good for his age and experience.
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Verdict
Since joining Leverkusen for around £5.5m on a five-year deal, the centre-back has made 44 appearances for the club so far, chipping in with two goals and one assist. However, Arsenal going for Piero Hincapie wouldn’t be the right option as they have other departments to strengthen.
The 20-year-old is a left-sided central defender, similar to Gabriel and William Saliba. With Ben White and Rob Holding available as backups, bringing in another defender may not be on top of their priority list. However, the Gunners must keep an eye on the Ecuador international’s situation since Mikel Arteta has a reputation for developing young players to their prime.
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