Liverpool could look to make a move for Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Piero Hincapie next summer, according to a new claim regarding the Reds’ search for a new defender.
Jurgen Klopp appeared to be content with his defensive options during the summer, instead deciding to transform the midfield at his disposal.
So far this season, Liverpool have been relatively fortunate with injuries at the back, in terms of Joel Matip and Joe Gomez both being available.
There is always the threat that that could change, however – both have been injury-prone in the past – and Ibrahima Konate has been absent for chunks of action, so a new centre-back should be targeted soon.
Hincapie is one player who has been constantly linked with a move to Liverpool is Hincapie, whose stock continues to rise at Leverkusen.
The 21-year-old has become a mainstay of his side’s defence in recent times, not to mention also being a key man for Ecuador, already winning 27 caps.
A January move for Hincapie has been mooted, but according to Football Insider, joining the Reds next summer looks like a more likely outcome.
It could be that Liverpool can’t justify spending so much on one player during the January transfer window, with Klopp confident that his current options are strong enough, especially with Jarell Quansah going from strength to strength.
Our thoughts on Liverpool signing Hincapie next summer…
Assuming nobody else jumps in front of the Reds and signs Hincapie in the winter window, he could be a perfect signing come the end of the season.
The Ecuadorian’s versatility is something that is well-known, allowing him to be a force at centre-back and left-back, and those two areas are both arguably lacking in depth at Liverpool currently.
There is still too much onus on Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson to stay fit, but Hincapie could come in and provide great competition from the off, even pushing them for regular starts.
Leverkusen’s young star clearly won’t arrive on the cheap, given his age and long-term potential, but it is now important to focus on starting a new chapter with the defence, and he could be a leading light for Liverpool there for many years to come.
