Arsenal under Berta: eight signings and Hincapie loan in window

Andrea Berta’s first full transfer window as Arsenal sporting director ended with internal praise after a busy summer that delivered eight new signings and a late deadline-day loan for Ecuador international Piero Hincapie, club sources and reports said. The moves, completed ahead of the new Premier League season, aimed to bolster Mikel Arteta’s squad as Arsenal seek to close the gap on Liverpool and Manchester City.

Berta, who arrived at the Emirates in March following a long spell at Atletico Madrid, oversaw a recruitment drive that included Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze and Martin Zubimendi, among others. The final piece of business was Hincapie’s arrival from Bayer Leverkusen on a season-long loan. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta welcomed the signing, saying the defender brings physical presence, versatility and tactical flexibility to the squad. Hincapie himself said he was “over the moon” and confident he could make an immediate impact.

Reports said the Hincapie loan carries a fee in the low millions and an option to buy next summer for roughly mid-40 million pounds, with clubs structuring the move to defer the permanent transfer fee into the following accounting period. That...