Tottenham appear to have given Arsenal a free run at signing Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie, according to reports.
Hincapie has been an ever-present figure for Leverkusen in recent years, but has expressed his desire to leave the club before the transfer deadline.
The Ecuador international can play at centre-back or left-back and has a £52million release clause in his current deal.
And despite having already spent heavily this summer, Arsenal are now reportedly eyeing up a deal for Hincapie as they look to add more depth to their defensive options.
Cristhian Mosquera has already joined the Gunners this summer from Valencia, but Mikel Arteta’s side may still move to bring in another centre-back should Jakub Kiwior depart for Porto.
Your ultimate guide to the football season
Metro’s weekly football newsletter: In The Mixer. Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every Friday – sign up, it’s an open goal.
Hincapie is already said to have agreed on personal terms with Arsenal for a long-term deal, and the Gunners are now preparing their first bid for the defender.
Reports last week had also linked Tottenham with a move for Hincapie as they look to add more defensive cover to Thomas Frank’s side.
But Spurs are now said not to be interested in a deal for the 23-year-old, according to The Athletic.
It has already proved a difficult window for Tottenham, who have missed out on several key targets, most notably Eberechi Eze who has now joined arch-rivals Arsenal.
Mohammed Kudus, Mathys Tel and Kota Takai are Spurs’ only permanent signings so far this summer.
Arsenal, meanwhile, have already taken their summer spending beyond the £200m mark after the signing of Eze from Crystal Palace.
The attacking midfielder became Arteta’s seventh summer signing following Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Mosquera and Kepa Arrizabalaga.
And speaking over the weekend, Arteta hinted that Arsenal’s summer dealings could still continue right up until the deadline.
‘We are all with big smiles on our faces, understanding that we have done really well, but the market is not closed,’ the Spaniard said.
‘We have to stay very alert because there are a lot of things that can happen. But, so far so good.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
