Arsenal 'green light first summer transfer' as Mikel Arteta makes intentions clear

Arsenal are already putting plans in place ahead of the summer transfer window as they eye a Premier League title triumph

Arsenal are reportedly ready to green-light their first piece of summer transfer business and make Piero Hincapie's move to the Emirates Stadium permanent. The Gunners agreed a deal to sign the 24-year-old Ecuador international on a season-long loan in the summer, with the option to sign the defender for a reported fee of £45m.

Hincapie has impressed since arriving from Bayer Leverkusen, featuring in 24 games in all competitions for Mikel Arteta's title-chasing side.

The Gunners boss has been hugely impressed by the versatile defender, and TeamTalk claim Arsenal will exercise the option in their transfer agreement with the Bundesliga side.

The defender has become a key feature in Arteta's starting XI, having struggled with an injury not long after moving to north London, but those problems look to be behind him.

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The Gunners have already agreed a five-year deal with Hincapie as part of the deal that brought him to the club in the summer.

Hincapie has earned the trust of Arteta and started at left-back ahead of Riccardo Calafiori and Myles Lewis-Skelly in the North London derby victory at the weekend.

The defender scored in the game prior, in the 2-2 draw with Wolves and Arteta has already hailed the qualities he brings to the team.

Speaking earlier this year, he said: "He’s a warrior. He’s going to bring such intensity, physicality, and emotion to the team as well. He’s quality on the ball – he’s a player who is super keen.

"He can play inside, he can play in wide positions, he’s done it, as you said, in different ways, and now we need to get him up to speed because the moment that physically he’s at his best, he’s going to raise the level."

When asked about how he'd settled in at the club since joining, Hincapie told Arsenal.com: "I’ve settled in really well and I’m delighted to be here at this wonderful club with brilliant team-mates, top professionals and the staff, so I’m thrilled.

"Of course, they’ve [teammates] helped me so much, going back to day one and the first training session. They’ve helped me out in every area, on and off the pitch, so I’m really pleased. My friends and family constantly support me and do everything they can for me to be happy."

He would also lift the lid on working with Arteta and said: "He always gives me advice and we look at areas where I can improve. Based on that, I work hard on what I need to do better.

"I only recently came here and I’m still settling in at the club with my team-mates. I’ve done so as well as possible so far and want to keep improving."

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