Arsenal considered Bayer Leverkusen signing before Calafiori deal
Before completing the signing of Riccardo Calafiori, Arsenal considered a move for Piero Hincapie of Bayer Leverkusen.
Arsenal completed the signing of Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna this week, with the defender signing a five-year deal to join the Gunners, but he wasn’t the only defender on their radar this summer.
James McNicholas reports for The Athletic that Ajax’s Jorrel Hato was initially under consideration, but the player then signed a new contract.
Piero Hincapie of Bayer Leverkusen was then put forward by Arsenal’s recruitment department, before the club eventually landed on Calafiori.
Arsenal have been linked with Hincapie for a while, with German outlet Bild suggesting the Gunners were interested in him all the way back in December 2022.
A year and a half later, it seems that move finally came close to fruition this summer, only for Arsenal to turn to Calafiori instead.
Hincapie will likely get the chance to play at the Emirates Stadium next week all the same, with Leverkusen travelling to north London for a friendly match.
The 22-year-old made 43 appearances for Leverkusen last season as they won the Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal, as well as reaching the final of the Europa League.
Given his age, Hincapie still might end up having a move to the Premier League in his future. But Arsenal’s summer demands for a left-sided defender have seemingly now been met.