Arsenal FC are preparing to finalize the permanent signing of Piero Hincapié at the end of the current season after the defender impressed during his loan spell in North London.

The Ecuadorian international joined Arsenal on a temporary deal from Bayer Leverkusen earlier this season, but the agreement always included a clause that would allow the Premier League club to make the move permanent. Following several strong performances, the club has decided to activate that option and secure the defender’s future at the Emirates.

Reports from transfer expert Fabrizio Romano indicate that all paperwork has already been completed. Hincapié is expected to sign a long-term contract that will keep him at Arsenal for five years once the summer transfer window opens. The deal will see Bayer Leverkusen receive a transfer fee of approximately €52 million.

According to Romano, the structure of the deal mirrors a similar move Arsenal made in the past with David Raya, who initially joined the club on loan from Brentford FC before completing a permanent transfer later.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has reportedly been impressed with Hincapié’s versatility and consistency. The 24-year-old defender is capable of playing both as a central defender and as a left-back, giving Arteta valuable tactical flexibility as the club continues building a competitive squad for the coming years.

For Hincapié, the agreement provides clarity about his long-term future. The defender will now focus on continuing his development and earning a regular place in the starting lineup. However, competition for defensive spots at Arsenal remains intense, meaning he will need to maintain high performance levels to secure a consistent role.

With this move, Arsenal strengthen their defensive options and add another key piece to their long-term project as they aim to remain competitive in both domestic and European competitions.