Hincapie travelling to London, still awaiting permission for Arsenal medical

Bayer Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapie is travelling to London but is still awaiting permission to undergo a medical with Arsenal, as the clubs work to finalise the proposed transfer.

The Athletic reported on Friday that Arsenal and Leverkusen had reached an agreement for Hincapie to join the north London club on a season-long loan including an option to buy for a total package of €52million — plus a 10 per cent sell-on clause. Personal terms are in place for the 23-year-old to sign a five-year contract with Arsenal next summer.

Hincapie signed a contract extension with Leverkusen in December, with his terms running until June 2029, but he has informed the Bundesliga club of his wish to leave the club, with his preference to join Arsenal. The signing was dependent on Arsenal moving players out before the summer transfer window shuts.

The Athletic reported that a deal had been agreed between Arsenal and Porto for left-sided defender Jakub Kiwior, subject to the Hincapie move being completed. The deal for Kiwior is worth a guaranteed €25million, rising to a potential €27m, and personal terms are in place.

Hincapie played more than an hour in Leverkusen’s opening game of the season as they beat Sonnenhof Grossaspach 4-0 in the DFB-Pokal, and appeared tearful on the pitch after his side’s 2-1 defeat to Hoffenheim on Saturday.

The defender joined Leverkusen from Argentinian side Talleres de Cordoba in 2021 and has featured prominently since. He made 43 appearances during the 2023-24 season as Xabi Alonso’s side went unbeaten domestically and reached the final of the Europa League. He made a total of 166 appearances during his four years at the BayArena.

The Ecuador international has been among Arsenal’s long-term targets, and his arrival adds to a busy summer transfer window for Mikel Arteta’s side.

Arsenal have so far signed Eberechi Eze, Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera and Christian Norgaard this summer.