Arsenal complete first summer signing despite Real Madrid attempts to hack €40m transfer

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Suraj Radia | Editor

Arsenal have completed their first signing of the summer transfer window after officially confirming the permanent arrival of Piero Hincapie from Bayer Leverkusen.

Hincapie joined the Gunners on loan on transfer deadline day last summer and there was an option to make the deal permanent for €40 million, which has now been exercised and officially confirmed by the club.

Current ETV

Piero Hincapié

D (CL)

Arsenal

Piero Hincapié

D (CL)

Arsenal

€63.1M

ETV Range

€56.8M - €69.4M

View full profile

The Ecuadorian international became a crucial part of Mikel Arteta’s backline as they lifted the Premier League title and finished as runners up in the Champions League, featuring in 39 matches in all competitions.

Hincapie has penned a long-term contract with the Gunners, believed to be until 2031, with the deal having been agreed at the time of his arrival on loan for an initial fee of around €6m.

The 24-year-old initially began his time in North London as a squad player and only made his first Premier League start in November against Tottenham but he soon displaced Riccardo Calafiori as Arteta’s first choice left-back.

His stature in Arteta’s first team was confirmed when he was selected to start the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain last month before Hincapie travelled with Ecuador to the 2026 World Cup, where he has featured in both their games so far.

Hincapie to stay at Arsenal after completing move despite Real Madrid interest

Despite joining Arsenal, Hincapie’s future has still come into question this summer amid interest from Real Madrid, with Jose Mourinho keen to add a versatile left-sided centre-back to his ranks, while Barcelona had also explored a deal.

According to previous reports, Madrid had considered a deal for Hincapie, as well as Calafiori, after speaking to the player’s agents and being encouraged by their level of interest in a move.

However, Arsenal had no desire to part way with either of their players and Madrid opted to go for Marc Cucurella at left-back, with another centre-back such as Alessandro Bastoni being targeted instead.

Arsenal will now go into the season with Hincapie likely to start at left-back, although Calafiori and youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly will offer competition to the new signing, while fresh defensive reinforcements have not been ruled out either.

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