Liverpool stunned, with Newcastle ‘serious’ about signing prime Klopp target for ‘achievable’ price

Liverpool may find it tough to sign Piero Hincapie from Bayer Leverkusen next year, as Newcastle United hold strong interest in the star too, according to reports.

The 21-year-old defender Hincapie plays left back when necessary, although his primary position is center half. He is an international student from Ecuador who attended Independiente for a while before relocating to Argentina and then Leverkusen in August 2021.

Hincapie is a left-footed center back with an aggressive and quick defensive technique that gives him a striking profile. Despite not being the tallest defender at exactly 6 feet, he still possesses the necessary height to contend with elite center-forwards in aerial duels.

This season, Xabi Alonso, a former midfielder for Real Madrid and Liverpool, has led Leverkusen to victory. Hincapie has made 15 appearances for the team. The 30-cap Ecuadorian star has contributed significantly to the team’s dominance in their Europa League group, even if he does not always start in the Bundesliga. They won all six games and scored 19 goals, easily finishing first in Group H.

Though Hincapie may not receive the same praise as his attacking teammates, like Florian Wirtz and Victor Boniface, Leverkusen’s three goal deficit throughout their Europa League group stage indicates that Hincapie is a valuable member of the backline.

English scouts are beginning to pay attention to Hincapie. He was rumored to be joining West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur, or Liverpool in the summer. Though a transfer was never completed, Hincapie’s stellar performances have sparked a renewed wave of intrigue.

On Thursday, it emerged that Liverpool are ‘closely following’ him ahead of making a potential bid. But an update has now set up a potential transfer battle with Newcastle.

Newcastle ‘serious’ about landing Liverpool target

D Sports reporter Christian Martin reveals that Newcastle have long-term interest in the Bundesliga star and are ‘serious’ about signing him.

Bild confirm that suggestion, labelling Newcastle one of the ‘most interested parties’ when it comes to the chase for Hincapie’s signature.

It is also revealed that the player has a €70million (£60m) release clause in his Leverkusen contract, which runs until June 2027.

Martin describes this as ‘achievable’ and worth it for Newcastle, given how Hincapie has been performing in the last year for Leverkusen.

However, it is clear that a move is far more likely to happen next summer than in January. Newcastle are operating with a limited budget as they are very close to the Financial Fair Play limit.

They have been forced to mainly consider loan signings for the winter window, which rules out a big-money splash on Hincapie.

Nonetheless, the Magpies ought to have more cash on hand at the end of the campaign. In order to raise money for a Leverkusen raid, they will also be able to sell some undesired players.

Liverpool, on the other hand, is able to afford to recruit Hincapie in January. However, TEAMtalk reported on Thursday that Jurgen Klopp is mainly content with his team and won’t be pressing for any significant additions next month, preferring to concentrate on the summer.

The Reds will probably start talks to try to sign Hincapie in the summer, but they will need to move quickly because Newcastle is a strong contender to sign him first.

A Newcastle player is reportedly “furious” at the team’s Champions League exit, which could lead to a transfer to a major European team.