For months, Tottenham has been eager to get a new center-back, with names like Radu Dragusin and Marc Guehi making the rounds in the media as potential first choices for the next transfer window. Piero Hincapie of Bayer Leverkusen might be a another option to add to the roster.
Spurs have reportedly been monitoring the player in addition to Newcastle and Liverpool’s interest, according to TeamTalk. This season, Newcastle has suffered greatly from injuries, with Sven Botman only recently returning to action this past weekend. Joel Matip’s recent loss has put Liverpool in need of additional defenders as well.
However, the three Premier League clubs have found the transaction problematic for a variety of reasons.
First of all, with defenders Edmond Tapsoba and Odilon Kossounou scheduled to go for international duty as their nations compete in the Africa Cup of Nations for the first two to three months of the year, Leverkusen is eager to hold onto the player in January. The German team has included a £60 million release clause in the player’s contract, which only makes matters worse.
Given this, it’s unlikely that Hincapie will settle for less than the sum the team has agreed upon for his quick acquisition.
However, the player has recently indicated that he would like to depart, which would facilitate the agreement. The update is from Florian Plettenberg, a writer for Sky Sports.
⚫️🔴 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.
