Arsenal have agreed on their first summer transfer deal as the window officially opens, on Monday.
As reported by The Sun, Arsenal have decided to activate their £45 million option to sign Piero Hincapie, with a long-term contract already agreed.
Barcelona have been linked with a surprise move for the Ecuadorian in recent weeks.
But the Premier League champions are confident of completing the deal for the 24-year-old defender.
The Gunners signed Hincapie on loan last summer from Bayer Leverkusen, but that was always with a view to a permanent move.
Arsenal are keen to bolster their manager Mikel Arteta’s squad after winning the Premier League title last season.