How the 23-Year-Old Defender Could Fit Arsenal if a Transfer Happens
Arsenal are in talks with Bayer Leverkusen to sign defender Piero Hincapié, a deal that will be completed if/when Jakub Kiwior completes a move to Porto. Hincapié would come in as Kiwior’s replacement. The 23-year-old Ecuador international has a release clause reportedly set at 60 million euros and is under contract with the German club until 2029. The English side is looking to negotiate a fee below the clause. If completed, the transfer could give Mikel Arteta more options on the left side of defense while also potentially allowing Myles Lewis-Skelly to play more often in his preferred midfield position.
Hincapié’s 2024–25 Bundesliga campaign highlighted both his defensive aggression and his ability to contribute in attack. He averaged 8.6 tackles per 90 minutes with a 58.8 percent success rate, along with 3.2 interceptions per 90 and winning 65 percent of aerial duels. He is proactive and aggressive, frequently winning duels in the middle third near the touchline. While he can occasionally misjudge distances in one-on-one situations, his awareness and ability to anticipate play make him a valuable defender for high-press systems like Arteta’s.
Off the ball, Hincapié demonstrates intelligent movement. His diagonal runs, from wide to inside, create outlets against pressing teams, and he adjusts his positioning depending on his teammates’ locations. His timing into the back post adds an attacking option, especially for crosses from wingers. On the ball, Hincapié shows strong passing range, accurate half-space crossing, and the ability to find runners in dangerous positions. He overlaps energetically and can carry the ball over short or medium distances, though his delivery can be inconsistent. His first-step speed makes him one of the fastest players in short bursts.
Hincapié’s arrival could transform Arsenal’s left-side dynamics depending on where Arteta deploys him. As a left-back, Hincapié brings pace, overlapping ability, and offensive intelligence, something that current options Riccardo Calafiori and Lewis-Skelly rarely do. He excels at progressing the ball through short and medium-range carries, delivering half-space crosses, and timing runs into the back post, giving Arsenal more width and unpredictability in attack. His defensive aggression and ability to win duels in the middle third complement these offensive contributions, allowing him to function as a two-way threat down the flank.
As a left-sided center-back, Hincapié provides flexibility alongside Arsenal’s central defense. In this position, his speed and ability to carry the ball out of defense enhance build-up play and transitions. While he may be less influential in wide overlapping runs compared with his left-back role, his passing range, aggressive positioning, and capacity to cover ground quickly allow Arsenal to maintain defensive stability while still progressing the ball effectively. Compared with Gabriel Magalhães, who is more of a physical, aerially dominant presence, Hincapié brings additional pace and ball-playing ability, offering Arteta a more dynamic option on the left side when rotation or tactical adjustments are needed.
Overall, Hincapié’s versatility allows Arsenal to adjust the left side dynamically. Whether starting as a left-back, where he can add offensive flair, or as a left-sided center-back, where he complements the defensive line, his presence increases tactical flexibility while improving both defensive reliability and attacking potential. If completed, the signing of Piero Hincapié would give Arsenal a versatile, dynamic, and technically skilled option on the left side of defense. His combination of speed, aggression, tactical intelligence, and offensive awareness makes him a player who could become central to Arteta’s plans for the 2025–26 season in what could be a defining season for them.
