With less than a week now to go in the transfer window, Liverpool need to get a move on. Despite adding three new faces this summer, they still look short. Hincapie has been suggested as a potential remedy to that.
And according to journalist Christian Falk, the Reds may well be working on it. Writing in Fabrizio Romano’s Daily Briefing today, the reporter said that Liverpool sporting director Jorg Schmadtke is currently in talks with Leverkusen.
“There are many Premier League clubs interested in Piero Hincapie. Liverpool could be one of them,” says the journalist. “I don’t think there’s enough time to make the deal, as Leverkusen don’t want to sell. If they were forced to think about it, it would have to be a high price – €70m [£60m] and more. I don’t think it’s the right moment for Liverpool to spend this money. I think Schamdtke will know that.
“Leverkusen are very interested in a loan deal for Luke Chambers – they really want him. This could happen, and so you see there talks between Leverkusen and Jorg Schmadtke, but I think he knows it will be too difficult to get Hincapie.”
Hincapie difficult for Liverpool
At £60m, it would be a little foolish for Liverpool to go for Hincapie right now. There’s not much to suggest the 21-year-old is worth such an amount.
At £60m, it would be a little foolish for Liverpool to go for Hincapie right now. There’s not much to suggest the 21-year-old is worth such an amount.
But following news of an injury to Ibrahima Konate today, this may start to look more appealing to Jurgen Klopp.
Even more appealing would be the fact that Hincapie could reportedly actually leave Leverkusen for £35m. That’s what journalist Ben Jacobs reported today.
It may not be exactly what the German side are looking for, but Jacobs reports that the player himself will push to leave if such a bid comes in.
Now, with Konate injured for who knows how long, it’s worth Liverpool making a cheeky offer.
It’s likely that they have other centre-back targets too, but Hincapie seems to be one who is actively keen to join.
Of course, that doesn’t mean that Leverkusen will be receptive to him going. But if some money is put down and the player wants out, they’ll have a decision to make. Keep talking, Jorg.