Official | Bayer Leverkusen loan Piero Hincapie to Arsenal with convenient purchase clause | OneFootball

Piero Hincapie’s switch from Bayer Leverkusen to Arsenal is finally complete. There are some surprises in the deal that shall see the Ecuadorian central defender move from the Bundesliga to the Emirates. In an accounting trick reminiscent of Leverkusen’s offloading of keeper Matej Kovar earlier this summer, Hincapie will technically be joining the Gunners on loan.

Kicker reports that an obligatory €55m purchase option is built into the loan arrangement. One assumes that this automatic purchase clause is tied to something easily achievable such as number of appearances. Leverkusen will pocket both this transfer fee, and a loan fee of €6m, in the next fiscal year.

In any event, Leverkusen intend for Hincapie to join Arsenal permanently. This is also evidenced by the fact that Germany’s red company team have secured a re-sale clause for the 23-year-old. Hincapie is presently valued at €55m.

Having already confirmed Hincapie’s move earlier today, B04 sporting director Simon Rolfes issues a carefully calibrated statement. Rolfes’ words absolutely suggested that Hincapie’s time with Leverkusen was over. Hincapie himself left nothing open.

“Piero Hincapie is a prime example of our concept of developing young players with outstanding talent into professionals,” Rolfes’ statement read. “He now wants to prove himself in a different environment. In view of an exceptionally grand time together in Leverkusen, we all wish him the best for the future with the heaviest of hearts.“

“My time at Bayer 04 has given me a lot, and not just as a footballer,” Hincapie noted in his own statement. “I grew in confidence and maturity in Leverkusen, and here I learned what is possible with hard work and identification [with a club]. I will never forget the support of all the staff and fans at Bayer 04 and I wish the club all the best in the future.”

GGFN | Peter Weis