Arsenal left Tottenham furious after stealing England winger Eberechi Eze from underneath their nose and the Gunners could potentially be about to spend heavily once more under Mikel Arteta
Arsenal could be set to take their summer spending past the £300m mark after lining up a move for Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie. The Ecuador defender - primarily a centre half or left back - is available for around £55m because of a buy-out clause in his contract.
It represents another bold move for the Gunners who are determined top strengthen their squad in every department. Arsenal look certain to offload defenders as well to help balance the books and also reduce numbers in the squad as they would struggle to register them all in the Premier League.
However, Arsenal also say that the Hincapie deal is not dependent on having to make sales first as they are now in talks with Leverkusen about a deal. Hincapie, 23, is highly rated and is seen as another player who can provide competition, back-up and depth which is something Mikel Arteta has insisted they lacked last season.
They are now pushing to complete a deal for the versatile defender in the next few days with the player keen on a switch to the Premier League. Tottenham are adamant that, despite links with Hincapie, they have never been interested in the player and have not made any contact with Leverkusen.
That comes after Arsenal gazumped Tottenham for Eberechi Eze in a £67.5m move last summer. Hincapie was spotted in tears after his side’s 2-1 defeat to Hoffenheim at the weekend, triggering suggestions that he could leave.
Speaking about his future earlier this summer, Hincapie said: “I’m fully focused on Bayer. However, as a player, it’s always important that other clubs follow you. There are rumours, but my mind is still on Leverkusen.”
Arsenal look set to offload defenders with Porto in discussions over a move for Jakub Kiwior. The Poland defender filled in at the end of last season but also wants first team opportunities and it is an area Arsenal want to strengthen.
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Oleksandr Zinchenko could also go in the next week as he only has one year left on his contract, knows he would get better offers as a free agent next summer but also knows that he will get very limited game time.
Arsenal have already done a deal for Spain defender Cristhian Mosquera and they stand now to have depth in defence. Arsenal have spent big with the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Eze, Mosquera, Kepa, Christian Norgaard and Noni Madueke.
Arsenal boss Arteta seemingly hinted that his side were not totally finished in the transfer market just yet. Speaking after Eze’s arrival was confirmed, he said: “We are all with big smiles on our faces, understanding that we have done really well, but the market is not closed. We have to stay very alert because there are a lot of things that can happen. But, so far so good.”