Report: Three EPL sides keep tabs on Leverkusen's Hincapie
Britain's "Daily Mirror" Tabloid reports that three London EPL sides are preparing to make a play for Bayer 04 Leverkusen's Piero Hincapie.
Ecuadorian international Piero Hincapie remains contractually bound to Germany's red company team through 2026. According to one of Britain's main tabloids, however, the 20-year-old's recent performances for the Ecuadorian national team during the current World Cup leave several EPL sides with deep pockets prepared to overpay for him.
Some controversial tackling notwithstanding, Hincapie has generally been regarded as one of the more reliable cornerstones in Leverkusen's shaky defense this season. The Esmeraldas-native has made 18 appearances for die Werkself across all competitions and even netted a league goal. His estimated market worth has shot up from €13 million to €22 million in the last 12 months.
Leverkusen may be tempted to cash in on their emerging star following the failure to qualify for the 2022/23 Champions' League knockouts. The Mirror reports that Chelsea, Tottenham, and Arsenal have all been intensively scouting the defender at the World Cup and are immensely impressed with how rock solid Hincapie has been at the back for the current Group A leaders.
Hincapie's "La Tri" have an excellent chance to clinch first-place in their group in their final group stage match tomorrow. According to the Mirror article, Chelsea see the Ecuadorian as an excellent long-term replacement for the aging Thiago Silva and are prepared to make the first bid. The tabloid also claims that Bayer are expecting January offers, though none of these claims are substantiated elsewhere.