Arsenal set to complete permanent transfer of defender Piero Hincapie

Arsenal are set to complete the permanent transfer of defender Piero Hincapie, who joined the club on loan at the start of the season, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

The Premier League leaders are set to secure the Ecuadorian international on a long-term contract at the end of the season, following his loan deal that includes an obligation to buy.

Further reports by Fabrizio indicate that an agreement has already been completed, and the player will join the North London club on a long-term contract in the summer, from German Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been impressed with the Ecuador centre-back’s performances since arriving on loan in September 2025, after spending four years with Leverkusen.

With Leverkusen, he made 166 appearances and won the Bundesliga title, the DFB Cup, and theSupercup. Previously, he moved to Germany from Argentine side Talleres in 2021.

Speaking on the future of the player:

Fabrizio Romano made the statement on his YouTube channel: “Yes, Piero Hincapie will be the first signing for Arsenal in summer 2026. It was always planned like this. If you remember with David Raya and Brentford, Arsenal did something similar a few years ago.

“So, signed a player on loan with a buy-out option clause, but was always going to be a permanent transfer in the following summer, that’s what’s going to happen also with Piero Hincapie.

“There is already everything signed between Hincapie and Arsenal in terms of contract, a five-year deal. So, it’s already signed and completed. Piero Hincapie already feels like an Arsenal player on a permanent transfer.”

The 24-year-old will possibly become Arsenal’s first signing of the summer transfer window after impressing the Arsenal coaching staff and club chiefs, as they look to build a formidable team for the future.

Piero Hincapie has made 26 appearances for Arsenal in all competitions

He is capable of operating as a central defender as well as a full back, and could be a very important player for Arsenal in the long-term.

The defender will be delighted to have sorted out his long-term future early enough, while he will look to focus on his football and establish himself as a key player for Arsenal now.

The next challenge for him is to cement his place in the starting lineup, with the league leaders having multiple quality defenders at their disposal, making it a tall order for the South American to hold onto a regular starting spot.

Hincapie has made 26 competitive appearances for Arsenal, with a total of 20 Premier League appearances, 2 EFL Cup games, and 4 Champions League games under his belt.