Barcelona are reportedly focusing on strengthening their forward line this summer, especially after the departure of Robert Lewandowski. However, in England, they are being linked with a move for Arsenal defender Piero Hincapie.
Previously, in April, Barcelona were heavily associated with Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni. While terms were reportedly agreed with the Italian defender, doubts from Hansi Flick regarding his signing ultimately led to the collapse of the move. Since then, the Catalan giants have spent €80 million on Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United. Their reported next targets include Bernardo Silva and Julian Alvarez, seemingly suggesting trust in Gerard Martin as a permanent solution for a left-sided central defender role.
Barcelona linked with a move for Piero Hincapie
Piero Hincapie joined Arsenal on loan last season, with an option to buy for €52 million from Bayer Leverkusen. According to DM via ESPN, Arsenal have yet to confirm whether they will make the deal permanent. As a result, Barcelona have enquired about his situation and the possibility of a move for Hincapie. Similar to Bastoni, he is a left-sided defender and can also play at left-back, both positions that have seen uncertainty this season. Barcelona were also credited with an interest in Hincapie in 2025.
Hincapie’s performances at Arsenal
The 24-year-old has had a largely positive year at the Emirates, featuring in 38 matches, scoring once, and providing two assists. This is noteworthy considering he competed with Myles Lewis-Skelly and Riccardo Calafiori at left-back, and William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes in central defence. Of his appearances, 29 were starts, and Hincapie started the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid. For most of the second half of the season, he played at left-back, while he played more in the centre at the start of the year.
Hincapie already has 51 caps for Ecuador and possesses experience in winning the Bundesliga and the Premier League, with the Champions League final still to come. It’s acknowledged that his best performances at Bayer Leverkusen were in a back three, and at Arsenal, he has spent more time at left-back. This might suggest he may not be perfectly suited to leading a back four from the centre-back position.
