Spurs have been eyeing a move for 21-year-old defender Piero Hincapie, and now the transfer has become more likely as it seems he is keen to find a new club next month.
Tottenham have been keen on signing a new center-back for months now, with the likes of Marc Guehi and Radu Dragusin circulating the media as viable and preferred options for the upcoming transfer window. Another name to add to the list may be Bayer Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapie.
According to TeamTalk, Spurs have been tracking the player alongside interest from Newcastle and Liverpool. Newcastle have struggled with tremendous losses to injury this season, with Sven Botman only just getting back to the action this past weekend. Liverpool have also been left in need of more defenders with the recent loss of Joel Matip.
There are a number of factors though which have made the deal troublesome for the trio of Premier League clubs.
Firstly, Leverkusen are keen to retain the services of the player in January with defenders Edmond Tapsoba and Odilon Kossounou set to leave on international duty as their countries compete in the Africa Cup of Nations for the first 1-2 months of the year. To compound the dilemma, the German club have added a £60m release clause to the player’s contract.
With this in mind, it’s unlikely that Hincapie will go for less than the price the club have set for his immediate purchase.
Recently, however, the player has expressed his interest to leave, which could help push the deal through. The update comes from Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg.
⚫️🔴 Piero #Hincapie, open for a new challenge in winter as he wants to play regularly. He’s not happy as a substitute.
➡️ But: Leverkusen appreciates him & wants to keep him as Tapsoba & Kossounou will join the African Cup.
The 21 y/o cb (left foot) has many inquiries on the… pic.twitter.com/Cel2AqDwQ3
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) December 16, 2023
Hincapie played in 27 league games in the 21/22 season and 30 in 22/23, but has only appeared in eight matches so far this campaign.
As it stands, Tottenham will need to sign a new center-back this window. A young left-footer like Hincapie, who has plenty of experience at a top club and is also keen to make a departure, might be the perfect candidate.
