Akanji lined up as replacement should Arsenal sign Hincapié, per Kicker

The Swiss defender who represented BVB from 2018-2022 could be the Ecuadorian’s replacement.

If Piero Hincapié leaves Bayer Leverkusen this summer, Manuel Akanji would be an option as his successor, according to Kicker.de.

The former Borussia Dortmund player can leave Manchester City, where he is still under contract until 2027.

The Swiss international’s market value is around €25million, with Turkish giants Galatasaray are also interested.

As for Hincapié, Arsenal are currently the most concrete option should a move materalise at this late stage in the window.

Arsenal must pay the contractually agreed €65million buyout fee for the deal to go ahead, with no wiggle room for Leverkusen. 

A scenario in which they push down the fee would be extremely risky from a sporting perspective to make the upheaval even bigger.