In what is becoming an increasingly familiar turn of events, the Gunners were tipped by The Athletic to be working on a rival deal for Tottenham’s top target. Unlike Spurs, Arsenal are thought to be pursuing a permanent deal this summer and are framed as reluctant to match Hincapié’s €60 million release clause.

Arsenal are interested in signing Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie. The Gunners want a left-sided defender as a priority this summer, with Ecuador international Hincapie emerging as a strong candidate. Arsenal's recruitment staff have watched the 23-year-old extensively, sources told BBC Sport.

Hincapie’s preference is to join Arsenal and the Premier League side are ready to push for him, should departures materialise.