Celtic showed an interest in signing Piero Hincapie last summer – and the defender has gone from strength to strength with Bayer Leverkusen.
Mundo Deportivo reported in June 2021 that Celtic were in the race to sign Hincapie from Argentinian side Talleres for £6.6million.
The Ecuadorian defender had shown huge potential at Copa America and was attracting huge interest.
Celtic were far from alone in targeting Hincapie. Atletico Madrid, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Betis, Newcastle United, Lens, Roma and Bayern Munich were all interested.
In the end, Bayer Leverkusen won the race – meaning Hincapie joined forces with ex-Celtic man Jeremie Frimpong.
Hincapie has started 17 games in his first Bundesliga season as well as playing in five Europa League games.
In the Europa League, Hincapie actually scored for Leverkusen against Celtic.
Whilst not the biggest centre back, Hincapie is quick and elegant on the ball, becoming an ideal left-sided defender.
Celtic may be happy with Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt but there may be a tinge of frustration at not signing Hincapie.
Tottenham Hotspur want to sign Hincapie according to recent reports – and his transfer value is rocketing.
Football Observatory CIES have published their rankings of under-23 players in their debut seasons in top five leagues this term.
Hincapie is in at number six behind only Marc Guehi, Nuno Mendes, Gavi, Dominik Szoboszlai and Josko Gvardiol.
CIES suggest that Hincapie’s market value is now €42.6million (£35million) – more than five times what he cost last summer.
Celtic love signing players on the cheap and selling them on for big cash; Moussa Dembele immediately springs to mind.
Hincapie could have been another such player, but it’s Leverkusen who will be in a position to rake in that profit – not Celtic.
This does though show the hidden talents in South America, and Ange Postecoglou has indicated he wants to shop in South America.
Maybe, just maybe, Celtic will end up finding their own Hincapie down the line.
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