- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
HITC understands Liverpool have stepped up their checks on Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie.
Liverpool’s links with Leverkusen are already intense as they are looking to appoint Xabi Alonso, whilst also one of the teams trying to land Florian Wirtz.
Jurgen Klopp will leave at the end of the season and he will be hoping to end on a high by winning the Premier League title.
However, Liverpool’s interest in Piero Hincapie dates back even further as they have been on his trail for more than two years and HITC can confirm the trail has not gone cold and they are continuing to watch his progress.
The left-sided central defender, who turned 22 earlier this year, has emerged as a huge figure under Xabi Alonso – he has played 29 games in all competitions this season, with six of those matches as a left-back or left-sided midfield player.
The German high-flyers are the only unbeaten team in Europe, they have advanced in the Europa League after scoring two stoppage-time goals against Qarabag and will play West Ham United in the quarter-finals.
They also edged closer to the Bundesliga title by beating Freiburg 3-2 on Sunday and are still ten points clear of Bayern Munich.
Piero Hincapie signed a new long-term contract last February, but now once again he is very high on the wanted list of a host of Europe’s top clubs.
Liverpool’s current backline
Liverpool are looking to bolster their central defensive options this summer, with Joel Matip set to depart.
Youngster Jarell Quansah has been a huge boost, and as HITC revealed, is set to sign a new long-term deal. But the club as a whole want someone who can cover the left with Quansah, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and the versatile Joe Gomez – all right-footed.
Despite losing to Manchester United in the FA Cup quarter-final, Quansah started at Old Trafford and impressed with another top performance.
Sporting Lisbon’s Goncalo Inacio is another left-sider the club has watched in the last 12 months.
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