Liverpool have stepped up the excitement ahead of their summer transfer window after pursuing a move for Bayer Leverkusen forward Florian Wirtz.
The Reds are in the market for a new attacking midfielder and have seemingly identified Wirtz as their ideal candidate.
Having spent the past five years at Leverkusen, the German has developed into one of the most exciting young forwards in Europe. It is no wonder Liverpool are interested.
More generally, Leverkusen themselves have been one of Europe’s must-watch sides since former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso took charge in October 2022.
Another of Alonso’s star men, Jeremie Frimpong, also looks likely to be on the move this summer and has Anfield firmly locked in as his destination.
And with Frimpong’s arrival just a matter of time and Wirtz also potentially arriving, Liverpool’s chances of landing a third Leverkusen player this summer may have just got a whole lot better.
Photo by Hesham Elsherif/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Hesham Elsherif/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Door open for Piero Hincapie deal
Leverkusen became a winning machine under Alonso. But with the Spaniard set to join Real Madrid, his invincible Bundesliga winners are likely to be dismantled.
While that will probably include departures for Wirtz and Frimpong, it also looks like being the end of defender Piero Hincapie’s time with the club.
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Hincapie has been linked with Liverpool for much of the past two years but has always stayed put at Leverkusen. According to his agent Pipe Sierra, however, now could be the time the Ecuadorian looks for a new challenge.
“Piero‘s future is open,” Sierra says via journalist Florian Plettenberg.
READ MORE: Which Liverpool player could be sold this summer to pull off £92m Florian Wirtz signing
🚨⚫️🔴 EXCL | Piero Hincapié’s agent, Manuel Sierra, told me for Sky: „Piero‘s future is open. There are enquiries. He feels comfortable in Leverkusen, but this summer could be a good moment for the next step.”
23-y/o top centre-back has a release clause in his contract, valid… pic.twitter.com/g1wPIBrG58
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) May 21, 2025
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“There are enquiries. He feels comfortable in Leverkusen, but this summer could be a good moment for the next step.”
Plettenberg also confirms Hincapie has an active release clause standing at around £51m this summer.
Hincapie timing may line up for Liverpool
There is little question that Liverpool are targeting a centre-back this summer. The Reds tried to sign Dean Huijsen but lost out to Real Madrid.
With a versatile, perhaps left-sided option being on the cards, Hincapie could still represent the ideal fit.
The fee may be a little more than Liverpool would ideally like to spend, but with the Reds set to negotiate with Leverkusen over Wirtz, perhaps another agreement can be found.
Hincapie impressed at Anfield in the Champions League earlier this season and has clearly been on Liverpool’s radar at one time or another.
A move now looks closer than ever and with Liverpool dealing with Leverkusen over two further deals, perhaps they’d be wise to make it a hat-trick with Hincapie.