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There has been a lot of talk about Piero Hincapie’s future beyond the end of his loan spell at Arsenal.
The Ecuador international joined the Gunners on a season-long deal from Bayer Leverkusen on transfer deadline day last summer.
Andrea Berta included an option-to-buy clause that allows Arsenal to sign Hincapie for £45 million at the end of this season.
Leverkusen managing director Simon Rolfes believes that option will be triggered.
Who is Arsenal’s best left-back: RICCARDO CALAFIORI or PIERO HINCAPIE?
Credit: Getty Images
Bayer Leverkusen director suggests Arsenal will sign Piero Hincapie permanently
Piero Hincapie is proving to be a fine signing for Arsenal.
The defender had a difficult start to life as a Gunner. He picked up an injury early on and was sidelined for a few weeks. But since his return, he has played regularly.
After initially filling in for Gabriel Magalhaes at centre-back, Hincapie has made the left-back position his own in recent weeks.
He has been brilliant in that role, and reports have claimed that Mikel Arteta wants to sign Hincapie permanently once his loan deal expires.
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Leverkusen chief Rolfes has strongly suggested the same now.
Speaking about the Champions League round of 16 draw between the two sides, he said, as per The Metro: “I think it’s a very special setting for him (Kai Havertz) to come back to the BayArena and for Piero [Hincapie] too, of course.
“He’s still officially our player and is only on loan at the moment, but it will come to the transfer. I think for Piero it’s just as special too.”
READ MORE: UEFA loan rules explain whether Piero Hincapie can play for Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League
You have £45m to spend on a defender, do you pay for Piero Hincapie or sign someone else?
Credit: Getty Images/Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC
What Mikel Arteta said when asked if Arsenal will sign Piero Hincapie permanently
If recent performances are anything to go by, it is a no-brainer for Arsenal to trigger their option to sign Hincapie on a permanent deal.
The Ecuadorian is excellent in and out of possession, has adapted brilliantly to the physicality of the Premier League and is an absolute bargain at £45 million.
Furthermore, the fact that he is still only 24 means he will improve significantly in the coming years, which, again, makes it a simple decision for the Gunners to sign him.
In his press conference on Friday, Mikel Arteta was asked if that is the plan. He replied, as relayed on HaytersTV: “We will see that. Let’s go through the season.
“We have already discussed the possible outcomes that we have after that (loan) period. But so far, we are very, very happy with him.”
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