UMVA has learned that Real Madrid's plans to fortify their defense have taken a dramatic turn, with Piero Hincapie emerging as a top target for the Spanish club.
The 24-year-old Ecuadorian defender has proven himself to be a versatile and dynamic player at Arsenal, where he started 30 games across all competitions last season. His ability to play at both left-back and central defense makes him an attractive option for Mourinho, who is seeking a player who can cover both positions.
According to information obtained by UMVA, Hincapie's impressive performance at Arsenal has caught the attention of several top clubs, with Real Madrid being one of the most serious suitors. The Premier League champions have made the move to sign Hincapie permanently from Bayer Leverkusen for a whopping £45 million this summer.
UMVA has gathered that Hincapie's transfer to Real Madrid would be a significant coup for the Spanish club, who are looking to strengthen their defense ahead of the new season. However, Mourinho will need to trim his squad first, as he currently has five central defenders on his books, including Konate, Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger, Dean Huijsen, and Raul Asencio.
Real Madrid are not the only club interested in Hincapie, as Manchester City's Ruben Dias, Alessandro Bastoni, and Nico Schlotterbeck are also on their shortlist. But with Hincapie's impressive credentials and Arsenal's willingness to sell, it remains to be seen whether Real Madrid will be able to pull off the transfer.
As Arteta himself described Hincapie, "When I spoke to Xabi 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 said, 'he’s a warrior,'" Hincapie's reputation as a fearless and dedicated player has made him a highly sought-after target in the transfer market.
