Liverpool have lost interest in signing Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie in January.
The Reds were heavily linked with a move for the 21-year-old in the last weeks of the summer transfer window, but nothing ever materialised.
Rumours once again emerged this week though, Bola VIP running some interesting comments from his agent, Manuel Sierra.
“Liverpool were interested in him [Hincapie], but at that time they opted to invest in midfield,” Sierra reportedly explained. “For January they are talking as well as other clubs, they will not be less than 50 million [£43m].”
Now, journalist Ben Jacobs has cleared up Liverpool’s stance on Hincapie. Writing on Twitter this evening, Jacobs reports that ‘Liverpool sources’ have been ‘clear’ that they’re not considering the Ecuadorian defender for a January transfer.
“I was directly asked about Liverpool’s interest in Piero Hincapie, and of course they like him, but I never said they made a serious offer or will do so in January,” says the agent.
“Lots of clubs are looking at him because he’s a young and interesting talent but he is focused on Leverkusen for now.”
With Liverpool seemingly looking for a left-sided centre-back, you can see why links to Hincapie have gathered pace.
His agent coming out and publicly speaking about the Reds has obviously added to the furore, too.
But throughout it all, Liverpool have never seemed all that bothered about the Ecuador international. He was claimed to be pushing for a move to Anfield late in the summer, but the Reds simply weren’t minded to make a run at him.
With Jarell Quansah now excelling in a left-sided defensive role, perhaps Liverpool have now re-evaluated their needs in the market for next year as well.
It’s clear that Jurgen Klopp needs some new centre-backs in the long-term – both Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk are now 32. But unless injury strikes, the Reds are perhaps now set until next summer at least.
At that point, it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see Hincapie on their shortlist. The Leverkusen man has only just recently returned from injury and may not be up to speed by January anyway.
But by next summer he will be. And with Liverpool then having no choice but to dip into the market, maybe Jacobs will have a different, more positive update for fans where Hincapie is concerned.
