Sophia
Arsenal’s ambitious summer transfer strategy is reportedly taking significant shape, with the Gunners on the verge of securing funds for their pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen’s highly-rated defender, Piero Hincapié. This development comes as cover defender Jakub Kiwior is set to finalize his transfer to Portuguese giants FC Porto, freeing up crucial financial resources for Mikel Arteta’s squad overhaul.
Kiwior’s Departure Paves Way for Hincapié
After a summer of significant spending on attacking talent, Arsenal has turned its attention to bolstering its defensive ranks. The imminent departure of Jakub Kiwior to FC Porto marks a pivotal moment in this strategy. While conflicting reports exist regarding the precise structure of the deal, the consensus is that a substantial fee is heading Arsenal’s way.
According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, a loan with an obligation to buy is close to being finalized. This intricate deal would involve a €2 million loan fee, a guaranteed €17 million (£14.7 million, $19.8 million), and up to €10 million in add-ons, potentially bringing the total to €29 million. In contrast, The Athletic reports a guaranteed €25 million plus €2 million in add-ons, without mentioning the loan aspect. Regardless of the exact figures, Arsenal stands to receive a significant injection of funds.
Kiwior, a 25-year-old Poland international, is expected to travel to Porto by Saturday lunchtime to finalize his move. Since joining from Spezia in 2023, he has made 68 appearances across all competitions over two and a half seasons, providing valuable depth for the Gunners.
Hincapié: A Highly Sought-After Target
The funds generated from Kiwior’s sale are earmarked for the acquisition of Piero Hincapié. The Ecuador international has long been a target for Arsenal, with his preference for a move to North London becoming evident early in negotiations, despite interest from rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
Hincapié reportedly has a €60 million release clause in his Bayer Leverkusen contract. However, Arsenal is expected to negotiate a loan with an obligation to buy, a strategy that would defer the permanent transfer until next summer while still guaranteeing a significant payment to the Bundesliga champions. This approach aligns with Arsenal’s need to manage its finances effectively and adhere to UEFA’s squad cost rules, which limit spending on transfers, wages, and associated costs to 70% of a club’s revenue.
Further Exits on the Horizon?
Beyond Kiwior, Arsenal is also looking to offload other players to balance the books and comply with financial regulations. Oleksandr Zinchenko, Fabio Vieira, and Albert Sambi Lokonga are among those who could be on their way out.
Zinchenko’s Potential Move to Marseille
Oleksandr Zinchenko, who joined Arsenal from Manchester City in July 2022, could find an exit route to Marseille. The Athletic reports that the Ligue 1 giants, managed by former Brighton & Hove Albion boss Roberto De Zerbi, are exploring a permanent transfer. However, matching the versatile Ukrainian’s existing salary could be a stumbling block.
Zinchenko, originally a midfielder, lost his starting left-back spot last season to homegrown talent Myles Lewis-Skelly. His frustration at the reduced playing time has been openly expressed. The recent emergence of Riccardo Calafiori at left-back, ahead of Lewis-Skelly, has further pushed Zinchenko down the pecking order, making a move to Marseille a potentially attractive option for all parties involved.
These strategic moves highlight Arsenal’s commitment to building a competitive squad while maintaining financial prudence, setting the stage for an exciting period of new arrivals and departures at the Emirates.
