Arsenal are not planning to sell Piero Hincapie in January, according to Fabrizio Romano, although the club could consider adding an attacking player if the right opportunity emerges.
Speculation had linked the Ecuador international with a possible move to Barcelona, including the prospect of a swap deal between the two clubs. Romano, however, said Arsenal had no intention of making changes to their defence during the winter window.
“When it’s about Piero Hincapie and the swap deal between Arsenal and Barcelona, I don’t see this happening for one reason: Arsenal have no intention to sell Hincapie,” Romano said on his YouTube channel.
He added: “Arsenal have no intention to change anything in their back four for the January transfer window. They are super happy with the players they have.”
Arsenal transfer plans for Hincapie and attack
Hincapie only completed a permanent move to Arsenal this summer after initially joining on loan from Bayer Leverkusen. The 24-year-old can operate at centre-back or left-back and has been described by Romano as an important player for manager Mikel Arteta.
“Piero Hincapie can play as a centre-back, as a left-back; he’s a very important player for Mikel Arteta, and so I don’t see this one happening,” Romano said.
While Arsenal are expected to retain Hincapie and leave their defence unchanged, Romano believes the club could still strengthen in attack if suitable conditions are available.
“I expect Arsenal to be opportunistic in the sense that, if there is the right opportunity on the market… we know January is never an easy market, and Arsenal’s mindset in the last four or five years has always been very clear: in January, either there is the right opportunity, or they prefer to wait,” he said.
Romano stressed that a new forward was possible rather than guaranteed, with Arsenal’s decision dependent on the player and the terms of any potential deal.
“Arsenal want to be smart. If there is the right opportunity, especially in attack, Arsenal can make something happen, but it has to be the right player under the right conditions,” he said.
“A new signing up front is something that I would not rule out for Arsenal. I think it’s a possibility, but as of the 6th of November, we are not in a position to guarantee that Arsenal will sign a striker or will sign a forward, because this depends obviously on the opportunities.”
