Premier League leaders Arsenal turn their attention to Europe on Wednesday when they visit Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie.
Mikel Arteta’s side currently boast a seven-point lead at the top of the Premier League table, and also booked their place in the FA Cup quarter-finals by beating Mansfield Town on Saturday.
The Gunners will also face Manchester City in the final of the Carabao Cup later this month, meaning Arteta’s side could still complete an unprecedented and frankly remarkable quadruple.
In the meantime, however, it appears that the north London side are set to complete the signing of a defender for a significant fee this summer.
As per journalist Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal are set to activate their option-to-buy clause to sign Piero Hincapie permanently this summer.
Hincapie is enjoying an impressive debut season at Arsenal (Photo: MatchDay Images Limited/Alamy)
The Ecuador international joined the Gunners on loan from German giants Bayer Leverkusen last summer and has made 27 appearances for Arteta’s side in all competitions so far this term.
He has featured in 20 of Arsenal’s 30 Premier League matches so far, starting 17 of them.
The loan deal included an option for Arsenal to purchase the player for a fee of around £45 million, and Romano claims that the London side are set to do so and never had any doubts about their plan.
It is claimed that the deal was structured in such a way, in part at least, due to Financial Fair Play regulations, however the deal will become official in June with the Ecuadorian defender set to remain part of Arteta’s squad.
German giants Leverkusen are also set to benefit from a 10% sell-on clause which will be included in the deal, Romano claims.