Arsenal secures Ecuadorian left-footed center-back Incapié from Leverkusen for €52 million plus resale clause, hailed as South America's strongest defensive shield.

Arsenal has bolstered their lineup once more, this time reinforcing the defense by acquiring a 23-year-old left-footed center-back, a mainstay in South America's strongest defense. Italian transfer specialist Romano reports that Arsenal has reached an agreement to sign Ecuadorian center-back Incapié from Leverkusen, with a transfer fee of €52 million plus a resale clause, and the player is about to head to London for his medical check-up.

According to Romano's additional report, Arsenal's deal for Incapié is structured as a loan with an option to buy: €6 million for a one-year loan, including a €46 million buyout clause that will become effective in 2026.

Incapié joined Leverkusen in the summer of 2021 for a transfer fee of €6.35 million. During his time at Bayer, he has played 166 matches across all competitions, scoring 7 goals and providing 5 assists, helping the team win both the Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal in the 2023-24 season, achieving the double.

Now 23 years old, Incapié stands 1.84 meters tall and is left-footed. Primarily a center-back, he can also operate as a left-back or left midfielder. His contract with Leverkusen runs until 2029, with a market value estimated at €50 million by Transfermarkt. Last season, he appeared 45 times for Leverkusen in all competitions, starting 40 matches and accumulating 3,788 minutes on the pitch, contributing 3 goals and 2 assists. Incapié is an Ecuadorian international with 46 caps and 3 goals for his national team.

Ecuador, Incapié’s national team, currently ranks second in the South American World Cup qualifiers and has already secured qualification for the 2026 CONCACAF World Cup. Over 16 qualifying matches, Ecuador conceded only 5 goals, making them the strongest defensive team in South America, with Incapié as a key member of their defensive line—truly the continent’s most formidable defensive shield.