Arsenal are stepping up their pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie, with Jakub Kiwior’s proposed move to Porto hinging on whether a deal can be struck in the coming days, The Sporting News understands.
Kiwior has already agreed personal terms with Porto and is waiting for the green light to fly out to Portugal.
The Gunners have accepted a loan with obligation package worth around £22.5 million, but the transfer will only be sanctioned if Mikel Arteta’s side can land Hincapie before Monday’s deadline.
Leverkusen porting director Simon Rolfes insisted on Thursday that no formal offer has been received, but The Sporting News understands Arsenal are continuing to explore a structure that could see Hincapie arrive initially on loan with an obligation to buy.
The next 24 to 48 hours are considered crucial as the Gunners look to finalise business well ahead of September 1.
Hincapie, 23, has been a long-term target for Arsenal and fits the profile of a left-sided central defender who can also cover at full-back.
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His arrival would open the door for Kiwior to depart, with Porto pushing to get the deal over the line before the weekend.
While defensive reinforcements remain the priority, Arsenal scouts have cast the net wide across Europe in recent months. Real Sociedad’s stylish teenager Jon Martin has caught the eye, with the 19-year-old Spain Under-19 international admired for his composure and ball progression.
Girona’s Arnau Martinez is another versatile option monitored, though West Ham and Crystal Palace have already tested the waters for the 22-year-old.
In midfield, Oscar Gloukh had been tracked closely before sealing a move from RB Salzburg to Ajax earlier this month.
Another name on the radar is 19-year-old Ghanaian Caleb Yirenkyi, who continues to impress in Denmark with Nordsjaelland.
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