After Joel Matip left Anfield, Liverpool now want to sign one of Europe’s most precocious defenders.
The man from Bochum has now departed Liverpool following eight successful years at Anfield – where he lifted the Premier League, UEFA Champions League and many other pieces of silverware after becoming Jurgen Klopp’s first signing.
A player of Joel Matip‘s quality will be hard for Arne Slot and Michael Edwards to replace – although Liverpool think they have identified a replacement…
Liverpool want Piero Hincapie
A story by El Futbolero now claims that Liverpool want to sign Bayer Leverkusen No.3 Piero Hincapie.
The Ecuador international was a standout player in the 2023/24 campaign, helping Xabi Alonso’s side come incredibly close to winning an unprecedented, unbeaten treble.
Ultimately, Bayer Leverkusen still remarkably won the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal without losing a domestic outing, as Hincapie helped the German outfit win the league title by conceding just 24 goals in 34 appearances.
The 22-year-old made 43 appearances across all competitions, scoring one goal while also providing one assist.
Now, Liverpool hope to sign the South American in a €50m (£43m) deal.
El Futbolero believe the Reds are also eyeing another Ecuadorian in Eintracht Frankfurt No.3 Willian Pacho.
As aforesaid, Hincapie is highly regarded across Europe, with the Bundesliga’s official website even describing the Ecuadorian as “one of the most promising defenders in football” in a feature about the man from Esmeraldas.
Arne Slot could sign both
El Futbolero believe Liverpool currently want to sign just one of Hincapie or Pacho – although the Reds may end up in a situation where both are needed.
A story from L’Equipe in France reveals that PSG want to sign Ibrahima Konate this summer, and sense an opportunity to land the France international as he enters the final 24 months of his contract at Anfield.
Therefore, Slot could be in a position where he and Edwards – CEO of Football at Liverpool – find themselves needing to replace not only Matip, but the Frenchman as well.