Piero Hincapie to Arsenal transfer latest as talks ongoing over double deal before deadline

Arsenal remain in talks over the signing of Piero Hincapie as Jakub Kiwior aims to leave for Porto (Image: Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

The Gunners are keen to get maximum value for a player in Kiwior, who earned his place in the starting XI at the end of last season. He helped the Gunners navigate a 5-1 win over Real Madrid and reached the Champions League semi-final. There has been no shortage of interest in the Pole throughout the summer , and only after a move appeared as though it would materialise did Arsenal respond.

Kiwior remains under contract for another three seasons with the club. Signed from Spezia for around €20million (£17.6million) plus add-ons in January 2023 , the club feel as though the player has improved and gained in value.

Discussions centre around a potential loan move with an obligation to buy that would see a profit returned in terms of a total fee. After the seven signings so far this summer, there is pressure from the UEFA Financial Fair Play restrictions to continue to work comfortably within them sustainably, as the club always aims to do.

The accelerated move for Eberechi Eze, promoted in part by Kai Havertz's injury, has tightened those restrictions. Therefore, the Gunners knew there was pressure to move players on, and any further signings would be challenging.

Hincapie is seen not simply as a replacement for Kiwior, who can play left centre-half and left-back, but as a player who could become a potential starter and rival the existing talent in the squad. Riccardo Calafiori, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jurrien Timber and Gabriel Magalhaes, who have all featured either at left centre-half or left-back, have suffered with considerable fitness challenges during their time.

Kiwior was a reliable part of the group and performed strongly when called upon, never suffering from an injury while with the team. The Ecuador international has an equally impressive track record of availability, a trait always sought after by the club.

He has been on Arsenal's radar for several seasons, in addition to Andrea Berta's while with Atletico Madrid. It could be the pair's combination could finally make it happen but as the clock ticks down to Monday's deadline, there is a lot of work still to do to make both moves happen.