Barcelona Eyes €52m Arsenal Defender Piero Hincapie Amid Squad Restructuring
Barcelona is shifting its focus this summer to revamping its squad after parting ways with Robert Lewandowski. While the Catalan club aims to enhance its forward line, reports indicate they are also interested in Piero Hincapie, a defender currently on loan at Arsenal from Bayer Leverkusen. In recent months, Barcelona had shown interest in Alessandro Bastoni from Inter, even agreeing to terms, but the deal fell through due to concerns from manager Hansi Flick. The club has since invested €80m in Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United and is now targeting players like Bernardo Silva and Julian Alvarez. With uncertainty surrounding the left-sided defensive positions, Hincapie's versatility makes him an appealing option. Piero Hincapie joined Arsenal on loan with a €52m option to buy, but the Gunners have yet to confirm a permanent deal. Barcelona has reportedly inquired about Hincapie’s status and the possibility of securing his services. The 24-year-old Ecuadorian defender has had a commendable season at the Emirates, making 38 appearances, scoring once, and providing two assists. Competing with Myles Lewis-Skelly and Riccardo Calafiori at left-back, as well as William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes in central defense, Hincapie has managed to start 29 matches. Notably, he played in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid. With 51 caps for Ecuador and experience in both the Bundesliga and Premier League, Hincapie is set to compete in the Champions League final. However, his best performances at Bayer Leverkusen came in a back three, raising questions about his fit in a traditional back four.
Source: Football España - 2026-05-30