Arsenal star targeted by European giant before Champions League final
Arsenal defender Piero Hincapie is being targeted by a European giant just over 24 hours before the Champions League final, according to a new report.
Ecuador international Hincapie joined Arsenal on a season-long loan from Bayer Leverkusen last summer.
He has made 38 appearances in all competitions for the Gunners, and his versatility - he can play at centre-back and left-back - has made him a valuable member of Mikel Arteta's squad.
Arsenal have a £45 million option to buy Hincapie permanently at the end of his loan spell.
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But he could yet make his last appearance for the Gunners when they take on holders Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final in Budapest on Saturday.
According to the Daily Mail, Barcelona want to make the 24-year-old their second summer signing after they seal a deal for Newcastle's Anthony Gordon.
Barca have launched a bid in the region of £70 million for Newcastle star Gordon, who had been expected to leave St James' Park this summer after manager Eddie Howe left him out of the final four matches of the season.
READ MORE: The La Liga 1:1 rule that allows Barcelona to spend more than any year since Lionel Messi left
It is claimed, however, that Barca 'recognise it will be a difficult deal to pull off' in order to sign Hincapie, who has already agreed to a five-year contract with Arsenal should the club trigger their option to buy.
That does not mean Hincapie could not agree terms elsewhere, however, and he could decide that moving to Barcelona is a better option.
Why Barcelona want to sign Hincapie
Barca are well-stocked in terms of numbers at centre-back, with captain Ronald Araujo, Gerard Martin, Eric Garcia, Andreas Christensen and Pau Cubarsi all competing for a spot as part of manager Hansi Flick's backline.
Right-back Jules Kounde can also play through the centre if required, with Cubarsi and Martin having spent much of the 2025/26 season as Flick's preferred pairing.
But Martin's switch into the centre from left-back means Barca only have Alex Balde who is capable of playing on the left flank.
Arsenal boss Arteta will no doubt want to keep Hincapie at the Emirates Stadium should the opportunity present itself, however, given his comments to Sky Sports on the Ecuadorian in March.
He recalled: "When I spoke to Xabi [Alonso, former Leverkusen manager] just before we were going to sign him, I said, 'If you have to describe him in one word, what would you use?'
"And he's said, 'He's a warrior. He will play for brick walls for you and he's one of the most competitive players that I have had'.
"He's come into the Premier League after surgery and a difficult start without a pre-season, and when you see him around his team-mates and competing on the pitch, it's like he's been here for 10 years.
"He has an aura, a charisma - a really special character."
Topics: Arsenal, Champions League, Mikel Arteta, Transfers
Ryan Smart