Big European club is interested in Arsenal star just before the Champions League final
Just over a day before the Champions League final, a big European club is showing interest in Arsenal defender Piero Hincapie, according to recent news.
The Ecuadorian joined Arsenal last summer on a season-long loan from Bayer Leverkusen. He’s played 38 games for the team so far, impressing fans and coaches with his ability to play both centre-back and left-back. This flexibility has made him a key player in Mikel Arteta’s squad.
Arsenal has the chance to sign Hincapie permanently for £45 million once his loan ends. But he might play his last game for Arsenal when they face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final in Budapest on Saturday.
The Daily Mail reports that Barcelona wants to sign the 24-year-old as their second big summer transfer, after they finish talks to bring in Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon. Barca has offered around £70 million for Gordon, who has been linked with a move after being left out of Newcastle’s last few games.
However, signing Hincapie won’t be easy. He has already agreed to a five-year deal with Arsenal if they decide to buy him. That said, he could still choose to join Barcelona if he thinks it’s the better move for him.
Barcelona has plenty of options at centre-back, with players like Ronald Araujo, Gerard Martin, Eric Garcia, Andreas Christensen, and Pau Cubarsi all fighting for a place under coach Hansi Flick. Right-back Jules Kounde can also fill in at centre-back if needed.
But since Martin has moved from left-back to centre-back, Barca really only have Alex Balde for that left-side position, which might make Hincapie an attractive option.
Arsenal’s manager Mikel Arteta will likely want to keep Hincapie, especially after his praise of the player back in March during an interview with Sky Sports. Arteta remembered talking to Xabi Alonso, Hincapie’s former coach at Leverkusen, who called him “a warrior” and one of the most competitive players he’s ever had.
Despite a tough start to the Premier League with surgery and no pre-season, Arteta said Hincapie fits right in, acting like he’s been part of the team for years. He added that Hincapie has a special presence and charisma that make him stand out on and off the pitch.