Fabrizio Romano announces Arsenal transfer AGREEMENT: Seventh major signing close

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie is close to becoming the club’s seventh major signing off the summer transfer window.

The Gunners have accelerated their interest in Hincapie in recent days as Jakub Kiwior has pushed to leave for Porto.

Although Kiwior was forced to cancel a private jet to take him to Portugal as Arsenal’s talks for the 23-year-old Ecuador international defender stalled, Romano reports that the deal is picking up pace again.

Taking to X, the football transfer news reporter said: “Arsenal are now in direct talks with Bayer for Piero Hincapie deal after personal terms agreed.

“Arsenal’s preference for loan with obligation as deal now depends on structure to be approved or not by Leverkusen.

“If Hincapie deal can be agreed, Kiwior can join FC Porto.”

Hincapie, who has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €59 million, is being signed to provide backup on the left side of the defence to William Saliba and Riccardo Calafiori as he can play either as a centre-back or a full-back.

Why do Arsenal only want a loan?

Arsenal’s decision to push for a loan deal rather than meeting the €60m release clause that Leverkusen have installed in Hincapie’s contract is purely a financial play.

The Gunners are planning their spending with regards the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

Mikel Arteta’s side have invested around €240m in new signings this summer and have brought in only €8m in sales, leaving them facing an enormous deficit. While this is not immediate cause for concern, it does mean that at some stage in the next couple of years they will be forced to balance the books.

Instead of adding another €60m to their debt pile immediately, they are seeking to defer this payment until 2026. This spreads the payments out and should make them a little more manageable.

Signing Hincapie is going to place an additional load on the club’s finances, yet Arteta clearly feels the move is worth it.

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