He was a top performer last season. But Piero Hincapie no longer has a regular place at Bayer 04 this season. However, a winter change for the defender is not an issue for several reasons.
Will probably stay in Leverkusen at least until the summer: Piero Hincapie. IMAGO/Treese
In the 5-1 win over Molde FK, he played over 90 minutes for the fifth time this season in the Europa League. But Piero Hincapie is only a regular player at Bayer 04 in the cup competitions. The defender is mostly left out in the Bundesliga and was only in the starting line-up twice when Edmond Tapsoba was injured.
It is clear that the Ecuadorian World Cup participant, who was one of the top performers at Bayer 04 last season but suffered a decisive setback in the fight for places when he broke his metatarsal in June, is not satisfied with his status.
Especially since, as in the first 59 minutes against Molde, he is often used as a left-wing player. A position that only suits Hincapie to a limited extent, as he is most effective in the center of defense and is also better suited as a left defender in a back four.
Africa Cup as a reason for prevention
Hincapie has not yet presented himself in the role of job hopper in the form of the previous season. Even against Molde he remained relatively ineffective offensively as a rail player, and later made a positional error as a central defender when the visitors scored a consolation goal.
It is therefore not surprising that there are rumors of change surrounding him. The Ecuadorian TV channel “DSports” reported that Hincapie has an exit clause of 70 million euros in his contract, which runs until 2027. The broadcaster also named some possible interested parties: Liverpool FC, Newcastle United, AC Milan and AS Roma.
But changing defenders is definitely not an issue for the winter. On the one hand, because Bayer will probably have to do without two central defenders, Tapsoba and Odilon Kossounou, due to the Africa Cup of Nations and would therefore not agree to a change anyway.
On the other hand, because of this constellation, Hincapie will have more playing time in his best position, in the center of defense, from January onwards. And because he wants to complete the season with Bayer 04, in which the club has no chance of winning a title like it has had since 2002.
No clause, no specific request
Furthermore, there are currently no specific inquiries for Hincapie. Even though the 21-year-old has been closely watched by clubs from Spain, Italy and England since the summer and Liverpool FC showed interest in the summer.
It is said that the rumored exit clause does not exist. At 70 million euros it would only be of limited help to the player. Nevertheless, there is likely to be movement in the summer of 2024 – as there has been this year – when it comes to concrete offers for Hincapie. They would then be well received, especially if his role under coach Xabi Alonso does not change fundamentally by then.
2023-12-16 20:45:00
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