Jose Mourinho targets Arsenal defender Piero Hincapie for Real Madrid
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has identified Arsenal defender Piero Hincapie as a primary target to become his fifth signing since returning to the club.
The Spanish giants have already spent a combined £68m on four new additions during the current transfer window.
Full-backs Marc Cucurella and Denzel Dumfries have been acquired alongside free transfers for Bernardo Silva and Ibrahima Konate.
Despite significantly bolstering his backline, the Portuguese coach is actively pursuing a left-footed centre-back who can also comfortably operate at full-back.
Complex contract situation
Securing the 24-year-old will prove complicated due to his existing contractual arrangement in north London.
The Gunners initially signed the defender on loan from Bayer Leverkusen last summer while agreeing to a mandatory £45m purchase clause.
A permanent transfer is widely expected to be officially confirmed once the Ecuador international concludes his participation at the World Cup.
To facilitate another high-profile arrival, the La Liga club are prepared to listen to offers for current squad member Raul Asencio.
His departure would clear essential space in a crowded defensive unit that already contains Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger, Dean Huijsen and Konate.
International struggles and alternatives
The versatile defender established himself as a crucial regular starter under Mikel Arteta during the recent Premier League campaign.
“He’s been extremely dominant in all the defensive actions and understands what we want in the attacking part as well much better.”
Mikel Arteta
If an agreement cannot be reached, the Madrid hierarchy have reportedly added Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni and Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck to their shortlist.
The former Leverkusen prospect is currently enduring a highly frustrating international tournament in North America.
Following a late 1-0 defeat to Ivory Coast and a goalless draw against Curacao, his nation face a must-win clash against Germany to progress from Group E.
