Liverpool have more chance of signing Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Piero Hincapie than Tottenham this summer, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.
The Reds could still be on the lookout to sign a central defender who is also capable of playing at left-back, in order to act as a possible long-term replacement for Andy Robertson.
Sporting CP youngster Goncalo Inacio emerged as an option earlier in the summer transfer window, but he has since signed a new long-term deal at his current club.
Someone else who has been linked with completing a move to Liverpool is Hincapie, who has emerged as an exciting defender with a big future in the game.
The 21-year-old has made 76 appearances for Leverkusen to date, also winning 27 caps for Ecuador, and he won an average of two aerial duels per game across 30 Bundesliga appearances last season.
Speaking on the Last Word On Spurs podcast [via Rousing The Kop], Jacobs claimed that Hincapie is more likely to end up at Anfield this summer instead of Spurs:
“The last name that I would mention on the centre-back, even though I think it’s more potentially Liverpool and still very possibly West Ham, is [Piero] Hincapie as well.
“He’s a left-sided centre-back with very high potential, good experience and Tottenham have certainly run the numbers and data on him. I don’t think at this stage they’ve added him to the shortlist, but he might be a name to watch as far as moving to the Premier League over the coming weeks.
Our thoughts on Liverpool’s potential move for Hincapie…
Hincapie could be exactly what Liverpool are looking for between now and next week’s transfer deadline, with defensive reinforcements still vital, even if the midfield has taken precedence in recent months.
A left-footed centre-back who can play at left-back, the Ecuadorian ticks all the boxes for the Reds, and he could act as not only cover for Robertson but also a long-term replacement for Virgil van Dijk, who is now 32 years of age.
It remains to be seen if Liverpool are willing to pay the money required to sign Hincapie – he may not be available on the cheap, given his reputation – but failure to bring in any defensive signing would be negligence by the club.
Joel Matip and Joe Gomez don’t look like the players they were in the past, when both represented key options, but age has caught up with the former and injuries have hampered the latter down, despite still only being 26.
