Arsenal have agreed a deal to sign Piero Hincapie from Bayer Leverkusen.
The Gunners are set to complete a season-long loan for Hincapie, 23, that includes an option to sign the versatile defender permanently next summer for a fee of £45million (€52m) rather than an obligation, though Standard Sport understands there is an expectation that it will be activated.
The deal will in turn accelerate Jakub Kiwior’s exit. The Poland international is set to join Porto on loan after the two clubs struck an agreement that will see Arsenal bank around £23.4m (€27m) for a permanent transfer next summer.
Ecuador international Hincapie had been set to travel with the Leverkusen squad for their Bundesliga showdown against Werder Bremen on Saturday.
Instead, he is now set to travel to England and undergo a medical as Arsenal close in on their eighth major signing of a busy summer transfer window.
On Friday, manager Erik ten Hag had said that ongoing transfer speculation surrounding Hincapie would not have any impact on his Leverkusen lineup against Bremen.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Ten Hag said: “I won’t take it into consideration, but there are always rumours. On Tuesday, we’ll know what it looks like.
“We have good players, so there’s always a lot of interest. If you ask Piero, he’ll travel to Bremen.”
The Gunners have until 7pm BST on Monday night (September 1) to get a deal officially over the line.
