Barcelona have expressed interest in signing Arsenal defender Piero Hincapie and are ready to ‘test the waters’ with an opening approach.
The La Liga champions are wasting no time in the transfer market, agreeing a £70m deal with Newcastle United to sign England’s Anthony Gordon.
Barca are in talks to sign Arsenal target Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid, while Deco has also been tasked with signing a new left-sided centre-back.
The Spanish giants were linked with a move for ex-Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior, who spent last season on loan at Porto ahead of a permanent move to the Portuguese club.
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But Barcelona are now looking elsewhere for defensive reinforcements and are weighing up a move for Arsenal title winner Hincapie, according to the Daily Mail.
Hincapie enjoyed a productive first season at the Emirates Stadium following last summer’s move from Bayer Leverkusen, making 38 appearances in all competitions to help Mikel Arteta’s side win the Premier League and reach the Champions League final.
The Ecuador international looked set to join Tottenham but Arsenal hijacked the deal from their north London rivals, signing Hincapie on a season-long loan with an option to buy at £45m.
Barcelona have clearly been impressed by Hincapie’s contributions this season and are ready to approach the new Premier League champions to see whether a deal is possible.
But Arteta and other Arsenal chiefs are pleased with Hincapie and decided earlier in the season to activate the clause to keep him in north London.
Asked whether Hincapie would be signed permanently back in February, Arteta said: ‘I would say so. Let’s go through the season.
‘We have already discussed the possible outcomes that we have after that period. But so far, we are very, very happy with him.’
Arteta also revealed he spoke to new Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso, who managed Hincapie at Leverkusen, before signing the 24-year-old.
Speaking to TNT Sports, Arteta said: ‘When I spoke to Xabi just before we were going to sign him, I said if you have to describe him in one word, what would you use, and he said, “He’s a warrior.”
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‘He will play through brick walls for you and he’s one of the most competitive players that I have had.
‘He’s come into the Premier League after surgery and a difficult start without a pre-season, and when you see him around his team-mates and competing on the pitch, it’s like he’s been here for 10 years.
‘He has an aura, a charisma – a really special character.’
While Arsenal appear ready to knock back approaches for Hincapie, there is a feeling that Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus could both be sold.
Jesus has attracted interest from multiple clubs back in Brazil while Martinelli, Arsenal’s longest-serving player, has suitors around Europe.
Arteta wants to bring in at least three major signings this summer, with the Gunners linked with Alvarez, Morgan Rogers and Eli Junior Kroupi.
For now Arteta’s focus is on Saturday’s Champions League final against PSG as he looks to complete a stunning double.
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