Arsenal confirm Hincapie signing and see £5m Monga bid rejected by Leicester

Arsenal have completed their first summer signing, confirming the permanent capture of defender Piero Hincapie for £34.5 million plus add-ons, while a separate £5 million bid for Leicester City teenager Jeremy Monga was swiftly rejected.

Hincapie, 24, joined Arsenal on loan from Bayer Leverkusen last September and made an immediate impact, featuring 25 times in the Premier League as the Gunners claimed their first top-flight title since 2004. The club have now exercised a purchase option to retain the Ecuador international on a permanent basis, with his contract running until 2031 and the deal set to become official on 1 July.

The move was completed despite reported interest from Real Madrid, underlining Arsenal’s determination to hold on to a player who had become a key figure under Mikel Arteta. The Spaniard is understood to be targeting further reinforcements in central midfield, at left wing, and up front, with total summer spending potentially approaching the club-record £250 million outlay of last year.

On the Monga front, Arsenal’s opening offer fell well short of Leicester’s valuation. The Championship club are demanding a minimum of £10 million for the 16-year-old winger, who made history in August 2025 as the second tier’s youngest-ever goalscorer when he netted against Preston North End. Monga also became the Premier League’s third-youngest debutant when he appeared aged 15 in April 2025, behind only Arsenal’s own Max Dowman and Ethan Nwaneri.

Arsenal are said to be seeking a compromise and are keen to avoid a tribunal process that would determine the fee independently. The teenager is believed to favour a move to the Emirates Stadium despite reported interest from Real Madrid, Manchester United, Manchester City, and Chelsea.

The situation is complicated by Monga’s contract status. He signed an academy scholarship upon turning 16, but with his 17th birthday approaching next month, that agreement could convert to a professional deal — or he could push for an exit following Leicester’s relegation from the Premier League.