Piero Hincapie is the latest player Arsenal are trying to sign this summer.
The Gunners have had an unbelievable summer transfer window. Andrea Berta has signed seven new players already, and fans thought that would be it.
However, news emerged on Monday that Arsenal are really keen to sign Hincapie, who, as TBR Football revealed, has informed Bayer Leverkusen that he wants to leave in the coming days.
Now, the defender has done something that could help Arsenal sign him more easily.
Arsenal have spent big money this summer.
The likes of Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyokeres and Eberechi Eze have all been signed in deals worth in excess of £50 million.
Arsenal have the PSR headroom to make more signings, but it will be a big surprise if they agree to fork out another £50 million+ signing.
However, Arsenal have made their move by opening talks with Bayer Leverkusen for Hincapie (Fabrizio Romano), and talks with the player’s camp are said to be ongoing too.
The German club are demanding Hincapie’s €60 million (£51.8m) release clause, but the player has stepped in to help Arsenal out.
Ben Jacobs has revealed that the Ecuador international has privately asked Leverkusen to let him leave for a fee closer to €45 million (£38.9m).
The journalist tweeted: “Leverkusen want Piero Hincapie’s €60 million release clause triggered or matched. However, Hincapie has asked to leave for closer to €45 million.
“If Arsenal outgoings result in a bid, Hincapie will push to leave for under his release clause.”
This has to be Arsenal’s best transfer window in a long, long time.
The Gunners have made big signings in the past as well, but the quality and the number that have come in this summer are superior to anything we have seen before.
Here’s what a part of Arsenal’s balance sheet could look like when the window shuts:
| Players Arsenal have signed in 2025 | Fee including add-ons |
| Kepa Arrizabalaga | £5m |
| Martin Zubimendi | £60m |
| Christian Norgaard | £15m |
| Noni Madueke | £52m |
| Cristhian Mosquera | £13m |
| Viktor Gyokeres | £64m |
| Eberechi Eze | £67.5m |
| Piero Hincapie* | £38.9* |
| TOTAL | £315.4 |
Arsenal have already agreed deals worth £276.5 million on their seven new signings, which is a lot of money.
That number could rise to over £315 million if they sign Hincapie for the price he has requested that Leverkusen sell him for.
It remains to be seen if Arsenal can get this deal over the line, but either way, fans should be delighted with the work Berta has done this summer.
