Liverpool may attempt to sign new players in the January transfer window, and they are said to be in “very advanced” talks with one player, according to a recent report.
Is it necessary for Liverpool to sign a center-back?
The Reds had a busy summer, entirely overhauling their midfield following several troubles in that area of the ground previous season, which contributed significantly to them finishing fifth in the Premier League.
Ageing players like Fabinho and Jordan Henderson have left for Saudi Arabia, but Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai have already made an impression since arriving. Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch have also joined Jurgen Klopp’s search for the next great Liverpool team.
However, the midfield was the only position that was prioritized throughout the summer window, which left some fans bewildered. Many felt that a new center-back was also required to offer freshness and depth to the position.
Virgil van Dijk is 32 years old and has exhibited symptoms of aging recently, while Ibrahima Konate, Joel Matip, and Joe Gomez are frequently absent due to injury.
While no central defender was signed in the summer, a recent update implies that one could be on his way to Merseyside soon.
Will Piero Hincapie join Liverpool?
Liverpool’s talks with Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie are at a “very advanced” level, according to Ecuadorian publication Marca 90 [via LFC Transfer Room on X], implying a trade could happen. The move might be worth £48 million, though it is unclear if a January or summer swap is more likely.
If Liverpool is successful in completing the trade, Hincapie, one of Europe’s most highly-rated young centre-backs at the moment, might be an absolutely fantastic piece of business.
The 21-year-old has already made 77 appearances for his current club and 27 caps for Ecuador, with former Leverkusen boss Gerardo Seoane calling him “really impressive.”
Liverpool are looking for a left-sided central defender who can also play left-back if necessary, and Hincapie checks all the boxes in that regard. He might be a solid alternative to fight for minutes with Van Dijk and Andy Robertson, and at only 21, he could be a mainstay of the defense for many years to come.
To be such a significant player for club and nation at his age, in a position where experience is frequently crucial, speaks volumes about the Ecuadorian’s potential as a footballer, and the Reds might be gaining a remarkable talent if this serious interest becomes a permanent move.
Hincapie has averaged three clearances and 2.3 tackles per game in the Bundesliga this season, highlighting his defensive abilities, but he has also completed 85.1% of his passes, demonstrating his ability to be impressive in and out of possession, which Klopp expects from all of his defenders.