Liverpool are one of several Premier League clubs who have had approaches knocked back for Bayer Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapie this summer, according to reports.
TBRFootball claim that the Reds, Chelsea and Tottenham all made “enquiries” for the Ecuadorian international earlier in the transfer window but they were told the player was “not for sale.”
Arne Slot’s side have already recruited two players from Leverkusen in recent weeks, Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong, while another key player, Granit Xhaka, has left to join Sunderland.
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Former Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag is now in charge at the BayArena and the Dutchman is said to be determined to prevent more departures that would further weaken his squad.
Hincapie’s agent has talked up the player
Speaking to Caught Offside earlier this year, the 23-year-old’s representative, Manuel Sierra, was extolling his client’s ability:
“Basically, he’s a warrior. He’s a leader. He is, for me, the best left central defender in the world. One of the best left-backs and the best hybrid players for sure.”
“I mean, he needs – or he deserves to – play in the world’s best places. He’s very happy in Bayer but he’s ready for the next step.”
Why were Liverpool interested in the defender?
As mentioned by Sierra, despite playing in a back three for Leverkusen, he could potentially be used as a left-back. With the Reds recruiting a very attack-minded player in Frimpong to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold on the right-hand side of defence, it would have made sense to counterbalance that with a more defensive player on the opposite flank.
However, the addition of Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth suggests Slot is not afraid of going pretty gung-ho with two high-flying fullback options.
In other news, we discuss a £9m sell-on clause which could impact Liverpool’s chances of signing Alexander Isak