Arsenal have hit the ground running in the summer transfer window, confirming their first permanent signing of the summer before turning their focus to midfield reinforcements.
The Gunners have wrapped up the permanent signing of Ecuador international Piero Hincapie from Bayer Leverkusen for £34.5 million. The 24-year-old, who spent last season on loan at the Emirates, has penned a long-term deal keeping him at the club until 2031. He featured 39 times across all competitions as Arsenal claimed their first Premier League title in 22 years and reached the Champions League final. The defender is currently at the FIFA World Cup with Ecuador, having started both group-stage games with another appearance expected against Germany.
With defensive business wrapped up, Arsenal are now shifting their attention to the midfield. Concerns over Declan Rice’s workload have grown after the England international played close to 50 full matches last season and was recently spotted wearing heavy strapping on his calf during international duty.
Among the names on Arsenal’s radar are Bournemouth’s Alex Scott and Newcastle United star Sandro Tonali — a player also heavily linked with Tottenham. However, a fresh twist has emerged, with Telegraph journalist Luke Edwards claiming the Italian would actually prefer a move to the Emirates or Manchester City over Spurs.
“I also don’t think Tonali really wants to go to Spurs. I’m told he would prefer Manchester City or Arsenal. As ever, let’s wait and see,” Edwards said.
The claim contradicts earlier reports from transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who insisted Tottenham were the only club seriously in the hunt, and BBC reports that Spurs had submitted an £80 million bid — which Newcastle rejected as they hold out for closer to £100 million. Tottenham’s reluctance to match that valuation may have handed Arsenal an opening.
Meanwhile, the Gunners are also monitoring another Newcastle midfielder. Journalist David Ornstein reports Arsenal have made a verbal approach for Bruno Guimaraes, though Newcastle are determined to hold on to the Brazilian. An opening offer believed to be below £60 million has already been turned down, with the club making their stance clear.
Whether Arsenal push harder for Tonali or switch focus entirely to Guimaraes remains to be seen, but both targets are viewed as elite additions that could take Mikel Arteta’s side to another level next season.
