Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Piero Hincapie from Bayer Leverkusen but others clubs are also sniffing around the Ecuador international
Arsenal have no plans to consider any potential offers for Piero Hincapie after triggering their option to sign the 24-year-old.
The Ecuador international has been tracked by Real Madrid and Barcelona in recent months, however, he is not for sale after putting pen to paper on a long-term contract with the Premier League champions.
Real Madrid’s chief scout Juni Calafat is understood to have watched Hincapie in-person in Philadelphia against Ivory Coast at the World Cup
The Gunners starlet had a tough evening against Liverpool target Yan Diomande, who caused all sorts of problems with his rapid pace.
Calafat also supposedly attended Morocco’s 1-1 draw against Brazil in New Jersey where he watched Arsenal target Ayyoub Bouaddi up close.
Real Madrid want to sign a left-sided centre-back to bolster Jose Mourinho’s squad following David Alaba’s departure, and Hincapie is one of the names on their radar.
Arsenal have no interest in a sale though and other options are also on their shortlist, including Manchester City ace Ruben Dias.
The Spanish giants also looked at Riccardo Calafiori ahead of the window before signing Marc Cucurella from Chelsea.
Hincapie, who started the Champions League final and won two Player of the Month awards at Arsenal last season, joins the Gunners for an initial £34.45m (€40m) plus £5.17m (€6m) in add-ons.
Mikel Arteta’s side also agreed to pay a £5.17m (€6m) loan fee when negotiating the deal last summer, while the Bundesliga outfit will also have a 10 per cent sell-on clause.
Thursday was certainly a good day for Hincapie. First his permanent transfer to Arsenal was formally announced by both clubs before he later helped Ecuador qualify for the Round of 32 of the World Cup, where La Tri could yet meet England in Atlanta.
Arsenal had also tracked Germany international left-back Nathaniel Brown, who is now set to join Bayern Munich from Eintracht Frankfurt in a deal worth £47.35m.
With Myles Lewis-Skelly likely to complete a permanent switch into midfield, Arsenal appear open-minded about strengthening their left-back options; however, it’s not an area of burning priority as Lewis-Skelly can still slot in when required.
Hincapie and Calafiori can also both provide cover for Gabriel Magalhaes at centre-back.
Leverkusen published a club statement on Thursday which read: “The conditions for the purchase option were met and defender Hincapie will therefore continue his career with the London club in the Premier League in the coming years.”
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