Barcelona targets Arsenal's Hincapié in January window

Barcelona has begun exploratory contact to sign Ecuadorian defender Piero Hincapié from Arsenal during the January transfer window.

• Sporting director Deco made initial contact with the 24-year-old's representatives to gauge his readiness for a January move, Sport reported.
• Hincapié has lost playing time at Arsenal this season under Mikel Arteta since joining from Bayer Leverkusen.
• Arteta is reluctant to release any player in January, though Hincapié does not feature as a regular starter.
• Barcelona has also inquired about Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni, per a Sky report.