Transfer Centre

Liverpool 'not close to Piero Hincapie deal'

By Andrew Delaney, Reporter | 16 September 2023

Piero Hincapie is reportedly no closer to joining Liverpool, despite rumours that the Premier League club are closing in on a deal for the Bayer Leverkusen defender.

Liverpool have reportedly not made any progress in their pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie.

The Ecuador international came through the illustrious Independiente del Valle academy before joining Leverkusen in 2021.

Hincapie has since been a regular in the side, playing as either a left-sided centre-back or a left-back.

The 21-year-old has played an important role in the side's upturn in form since Xabi Alonso took over late in 2022, and has attracted interest from clubs around Europe.

However, FootballTransfers claims that Liverpool have not made any progress in a potential deal since the summer.

This comes after some rumours suggested that Liverpool were in advanced discussions over a move for the player.

Liverpool may well enter the market for defensive reinforcements in January, given that the injury and suspension crisis which has struck Jurgen Klopp's side early in the season.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp on July 30, 2023 © Reuters

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ibrahima Konate have both battled injury in the opening month of the campaign, while Virgil van Dijk has also been out with a two-match ban.

Those issues meant Klopp handed a full league debut to 20-year-old Jarell Quansah in central defence against Wolverhampton Wanderers, with Joe Gomez also in at right-back.

Hincapie only made his bow this season in stoppage time at the Allianz Arena on Friday, helping Leverkusen see out a 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich.

An injury picked up against Bolivia for Ecuador in June saw him miss all of pre-season, and the recent international break.

Under previous manager Gerardo Seoane, Hincapie was at times used as a left-back in a back four, illustrating the youngster's versatility.

Hincapie's ball-carrying ability and pace meant that Alonso's switch to a back three allowed him to seamlessly transition into a roaming left-sided centre-back.

Following his return from injury, it is likely that he will come into the side, putting one of Jonathan Tah, Odilon Kossounou or Edmond Tapsoba's places in the side under threat.