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Arsenal are pursuing a move for Piero Hincapie of Bayer Leverkusen in the final few days of the summer transfer window. Sporting director Andrea Berta has successfully increased the ceiling of Mikel Arteta's squad with seven signings made that has seen roughly £250million spent.
Eberechi Eze is the latest to join and the only transfer completed in August with Kepa Arrizabalaga, Christian Norgaard, Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera and Viktor Gyokeres all officially arriving the previous month.
Despite strengthening in every area of the pitch, more additions are wanted by Arteta, but it certainly seems as though that would only be sanctioned to offset departures.
Reiss Nelson, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Sambi Lokonga, Fabio Vieira and Jakub Kiwior could all depart in the final days of the trading period with the latter expected to join Porto and in a dream scenario for Arsenal, Hincapie signed as his replacement.
There currently appears to be a stumbling block in any potential deal for the Ecuador international with Bundesliga side Leverkusen wanting the player's £51.8million (€60m) release clause to be paid. Arsenal, though, would prefer to bring him in on loan before signing him permanently 12 months later.
Hincapie is believed to be keen on the switch, but Erik ten Hag's side do not need to sell having especially already having lost Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Granit Xhaka to Premier League teams.
However, if that move does go through, Hincapie will have a big squad number decision to make. The 23-year-old currently wears the No.3 and has done for his last three seasons at Leverkusen.
Just a few months ago, that jersey was available following Kieran Tierney's departure - but it has now been taken by Mosquera. Prior to that, the number on the back of his Club Atletico Talleres jersey was No.4, but Ben White has that squad number.
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He wore the No.50 at Independiente del Valle - but he later changed to No.28 - and it's more than likely the latter will be available. Lokonga is the Arsenal player donning that as things stand, but he is expected to be on the move before next Monday's deadline.
Even if the Belgium international remains at Emirates Stadium, it seems incredibly likely he would change to allow Hincapie to have a previous squad number.
The No.50, meanwhile, is available having only recently been held by academy players but once No.28 became available, that is where Hincapie went. Kiwior departing is likely to allow for Hincapie to join with Lokonga also moving elsewhere giving him the chance to secure a dream welcome gift.
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