Barcelona eye January transfer for Arsenal star who would be the 'perfect' signing
Barcelona have identified an Arsenal star as their ‘perfect’ January signing, with contact already reportedly made over a potential deal.
With 13 wins from 15 matches in all competitions this season, Barcelona are desperate to ensure a historic season in which they are hoping to win their first Champions League in 12 years as well as a third-straight La Liga title.
The Catalans are finally in a healthy financial situation, having spent €184 million during the summer – their biggest outlay in seven seasons – however, almost all their resources were utilised on the midfield and attack, leaving the defence virtually untouched.
Consequently, Barca sporting director Deco is understood to have prioritised the signing of a versatile, international-level defender in January who can play both left-back and centre-back, which has led to interest in Piero Hincapie, according to SPORT.
Arsenal permanently signed Hincapie in the summer for €40 million after a successful loan spell but the 24-year-old has played just 46 minutes of Premier League action this season.
Deco is said to have already made initial contact with Hincapie’s representatives in order to gauge the player’s willingness to leave in January, although a deal is accepted as being difficult, with Mikel Arteta not keen to lose an important squad player even with his lack of gametime thusfar.
Piero Hincapie: Arsenal star finds ideal fit in Barcelona
Hincapie made 25 Premier League appearances last season and started the Champions League final, however the Ecuadorian international has found himself behind the fit-again Riccardo Calafiori this year.
The defender has largely been used in cup competitions and off the bench this season but, despite the limited minutes, Arsenal have no desire to sell Hincapie, particularly mid-season with the club also pushing for league and European glory.
Hincapie, too, has not indicated any desire to leave Arsenal, with a number of minor injuries preventing him from pushing Calafiori for a first team spot so far, while there is an acceptance from all parties that everyone will have opportunities across a long season.
Curiously, data analytics firm SciSports suggest that Barcelona would be Hincapie’s best choice of team, even higher than the Gunners, with the La Liga giants being given a club fit rating of 81 out of 100, compared to Arsenal’s 74.
Hincapie is projected to have slightly more game time at Barca, with Hansi Flick’s side looking for experience and quality in the backline after fielding a number of academy youngsters this season.
However, with Hincapie having an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €61.5m, any deal would not come cheap and Barcelona may look to pursue another option, such as summer target Alessandro Bastoni from Inter as Arsenal look to keep hold of one of Arteta’s crucial stars.
