Arsenal have set their sights on beating Tottenham Hotspur to another signing as influential figures at the Emirates Stadium have turned their attention towards winning the race for Bayer Leverkusen star Piero Hincapie before the transfer window slams shut next week, according to The Athletic journalist David Ornstein.
The Gunners hijacked their arch-rivals' move for England international Eberechi Eze last week, with him completing a £67.5million switch from Premier League counterparts Crystal Palace, and boss Mikel Arteta is in the market for further reinforcements ahead of the fast-approaching September 1 deadline.
Gunners Make Move to Win Race for Hincapie
Arsenal are working to sign Hincapie, according to The Athletic journalist Ornstein, and there are ongoing efforts to land him for less than his £52million release clause after he has already made it clear to Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen that he wants to embark on a fresh challenge.
The Gunners' pursuit of the central defender has come to light after GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Fabrizio Romano revealed earlier on Monday that Tottenham have made an approach to agree an initial loan deal which would include an obligation to make him a permanent member of the squad.
Hincapie - who has been described as a 'warrior' by agent Manuel Sierra - is looking to take his career in another direction after already seeing the likes of Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Jonathan Tah leave Bayer Leverkusen since the end of last season, while head coach Xabi Alonso has also been replaced by Erik ten Hag.
GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Piero Hincapie won five aerial duels during Bayer Leverkusen's defeat to Hoffenheim in their opening Bundesliga encounter of the season last weekend
Ornstein has suggested that Arsenal's interest in the Ecuador international hinges on whether Arteta is able to sanction departures in the coming days, but his preference is to follow in Eze's footsteps by heading to the Emirates Stadium instead of linking up with north London rivals Tottenham.
Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior are two defenders who could make way to create space in the squad, with the latter attracting interest from Portuguese giants Porto, meaning that it could prove to be a pivotal few days as the Gunners aim to get their hands on the Premier League title this season.
Bayer Leverkusen's preference is to hold onto Hincapie, who still has four years remaining on a contract which allows him to pocket more than £60,000-per-week, but Arsenal have set their sights on overcoming competition from Tottenham and luring him away from his current surroundings.
All statistics courtesy of Sofascore - correct as of 25/08/2025