What We Know
Ecuador international Piero Hincapie, who spent the 2025/26 season on loan at Arsenal from Bayer 04 Leverkusen, will join the Gunners on a permanent basis after Arsenal activated a purchase option. Leverkusen's announcement confirms the option was exercised and the transfer completed. Reporting around the move describes Hincapie as having been a regular for Arsenal last season and a contributor to the club's recent success.
Multiple outlets report a transfer fee in the mid‑tens of millions in sterling or euros; one widely cited figure is roughly 34.5m (about 40m) and other reports put the sum around 35m, with some outlets saying add‑ons apply. Coverage notes Hincapie is a 24‑year‑old defender able to play at centre‑back or left‑back and that he made a large number of appearances for Arsenal during his loan, including participation with Ecuador at the World Cup.
Source Comparison
Aligned reportingCorroborates
- bayer04.de↗Bayer Leverkusen's official announcement confirms Arsenal activated the purchase option and Hincapie's loan was completed as a permanent transfer.
- BBC↗BBC reports the loan was made permanent, notes Hincapie can play centre‑back or left‑back and gives a fee of about £34.5m (≈€40m), supporting the reported transfer and fee figure.
- tntsports.co.uk↗TNT Sports reports Arsenal signed Hincapie permanently after a successful loan spell, supporting that the purchase option was exercised and the move completed.
- metro.co.uk↗Metro reports Arsenal completed the deal for around £35m, corroborating published estimates of the transfer fee and the permanent signing.
- lbc.co.uk↗LBC reports a £34.5m fee and notes Hincapie made 39 appearances for Arsenal last season and was playing for Ecuador at the World Cup, corroborating his regular role and international involvement.
- sports.yahoo.com↗Yahoo Sports reports Arsenal officially activated the option to complete Hincapie's permanent signing, corroborating the club's action to make the transfer permanent.
- goal.com↗Goal reports Arsenal completed Hincapie's permanent signing and highlights his key role in the club's successful season, corroborating his regular contributions during the loan.