Bayer Leverkusen have seen defender Piero Hincapié depart for Arsenal in a permanent transfer. The move of the Ecuadorian international to the Premier League was reported this week on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, by user @Dmayor37 as part of a round-up of the top five clubs from last season.
Leverkusen must now start the new season without the 24-year-old, a campaign that began with a defeat. Currently, Bayer Leverkusen sit 13th in the Bundesliga standings with zero points from one match. Their record shows 0 wins, 0 draws, and 1 loss with a goal difference of 2 scored and 3 conceded. This leaves the team already three points behind leaders Bayern Munich.
The loss of Piero Hincapié leaves a gap in manager Xabi Alonso's centre-back options. Hincapié had been a mainstay in recent seasons, providing both defensive solidity and build-up play from the back. His absence will increase the competition for places alongside Jonathan Tah and Edmond Tapsoba. Odilon Kossounou and young Noah Mbamba will now come into sharper focus. The team has already conceded three goals this season, an area that will require even more attention without Hincapié.
The start to the 2026/27 season has been bumpy. An opening defeat has increased the pressure ahead of the next fixture. On September 5th, Bayer Leverkusen host 9th-placed Union Berlin at the BayArena. This home game is a direct opportunity to get the first points on the board and climb the table. The recent form is marked with an 'L' for the loss. A bright spot is the attack, where Christian Kofane, with one goal in one appearance, is the team's current top scorer this season. The full schedule of upcoming matches can be found on our fixtures page.
Hincapié's exit slightly reduces depth in defensive midfield and at centre-back. The Bayer Leverkusen squad remains well-stocked, however, particularly in attacking areas. The club's decision-makers will now monitor whether the departure of an established player triggers further activity in the current transfer window. So far, there are no signs of a direct replacement transfer. The current squad overview shows the remaining options for coach Alonso.
The focus now shifts entirely to the next matchday. The fixture against Union Berlin on September 5th, 2026, at the home BayArena is the next task for Die Werkself.
