Arsenal Set To Finalize Fifty Two Million Euro Permanent Deal For Piero Hincapie As Academy Star Myles Lewis-Skelly Faces Summer Exit

Arsenal is set to complete a €52m deal for Piero Hincapie, a move that could force academy graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly out of the club this summer.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 17, 2026, 12:42 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Football365

Securing the Defensive Foundation with Hincapie

Arsenal’s summer recruitment strategy has already begun to take shape, centered on the permanent acquisition of versatile defender Piero Hincapie. The 24-year-old Ecuador international joined the Gunners on loan from Bayer Leverkusen in 2025, and the club has reportedly decided to trigger his €52 million (£45m) buyout clause. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has characterized the move as a "gentleman’s agreement" similar to the deal that brought David Raya to the Emirates. Hincapie, who has already signed a five-year contract, has become a vital component of Mikel Arteta’s tactical setup, appearing 14 times as a left-back this season while providing essential coverage in central defense.

The Crowded Left Back Hierarchy at the Emirates

The decision to retain Hincapie permanently, coupled with the club's firm stance against selling Riccardo Calafiori, has created a significant bottleneck at the left-back position. Calafiori has been a mainstay this season with 22 appearances, leaving little room for rotational growth. This defensive depth, while a strength for Arteta's title-chasing squad, has inadvertently marginalized 19-year-old academy product Myles Lewis-Skelly. Despite being a highly-regarded "Hale End gem" with six England caps, Lewis-Skelly has struggled to secure regular starts, featuring in the Premier League XI only once this campaign.

Uncertainty Surrounding the Future of Hale End Talent

The lack of a clear path to the first team has led to mounting speculation regarding Lewis-Skelly’s future in North London. The Times has identified the teenager as one of several players, alongside fellow academy graduate Ethan Nwaneri and Gabriel Martinelli, whose long-term roles are under review due to their desire for regular playing time. While Lewis-Skelly has shown glimpses of world-class potential—notably starting six times in the Champions League—the permanent arrival of Hincapie is seen by many as the final signal that the club may be willing to cash in on the youngster to satisfy Financial Fair Play requirements.