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Arsenal complete £35m deal and make first summer signing after Real Madrid approach
Jun 25 2026 13:48 · By James Goldman · 43 Reads
Mikel Arteta and Arsenal have completed their first summer signing (Picture: Getty)
Arsenal have completed their first summer signing after exercising the option to make Piero Hincapie ’s loan move from Bayer Leverkusen a permanent deal.
The Ecuador international joined the Gunners during the closing stages of last year’s summer transfer window.
Despite competition from Myles Lewis-Skelly and Riccardo Calafiori , Hincapie ended his maiden campaign in English football as Arsenal’s foirst-choice left-back.
The 24-year-old started crucial games in the run-in against the likes of Manchester City and Burnley , while he kept Calafiori on the bench for the entirety of the Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain.
(Picture: Getty)
Real Madrid has reportedly shown an interest in the versatile defender, but Hincapie has committed his future to the Premier League champions who have paid around £35million to sign him.
‘We are delighted to have activated the option to make Piero Hincapie’s transfer to us permanent from July 1,’ read a statement on Arsenal’s official website.
