This summer, Jurgen Klopp reportedly has a center-back in mind.
Liverpool is apparently searching for a new central defender before the transfer window closes in little under two weeks, in addition to resolving their midfield dilemma.
Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip, Ibrahima Konate, and Joe Gomez are currently available for Jurgen Klopp to use.
The Reds are apparently turning their focus to Bayer Leverkusen, so the German may still welcome another center-back.
According to Dominik Schneider of Fussball Transfers, Liverpool is one of the teams considering a transfer for Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie as they look for a center-back.
The Ecuadorian is sidelined with an injury right now, but he should be back by the end of August, which would make him potentially available for a transfer to Anfield before the window closes.
However, given that West Ham United and RB Leipzig are also allegedly interested in making their approaches for the Leverkusen player this summer, the Premier League heavyweights may need to move quickly to capture Hincapie’s signature.
Of course, West Ham’s reported agreement to purchase Harry Maguire from Manchester United has fallen through, so their quest for a center back is still ongoing.
Hincapie is Leipzig’s fallback option, according to Schneider, should they be unable to recruit Castello Lukeba from Lyon this summer. With that said, the Leverkusen center-back appears to be in for a busy finale to the window.
It wouldn’t be a bad idea for Liverpool to welcome Hincapie, 21, as Matip reaches the final year of his contract. For the Reds, trading an aging Matip for the much younger Ecuadorian international would be a very wise move.
Leverkusen’s asking price for their defender is still to be determined, but according to Transfermarkt, Hincapie is now valued at €35 million (£30 million), which might make a deal with Liverpool possible in the coming weeks.
The accolades he has gotten speak for themselves. According to the official Bundesliga website, former Leverkusen manager Gerardo Seoane said: “We knew he had the potential, but the way he’s rising to the task and managing with the intensity levels is truly astonishing. We’re pleasantly delighted by how well he’s doing in Europe and the Bundesliga.
The sporting director of the team also had encouraging things to say. “Piero’s signing 18 months ago was an investment in the future,” said Simon Rolfes. “At the time, he was a talented center defender with a ton of promise.
He has long been a standout performer for our Werkself and has lately displayed his talent at the Qatar 2022 World Cup as well as in the Bundesliga and Champions League. One of the team’s major players who we can depend on to assist us meet ambitious goals in the next years is Piero.
In light of this, Liverpool is chasing a player who is on the rise, which is understandable.
Even if the summer transfer window is closing, anything is still possible, making Hincapie’s future an intriguing one to watch.
