Tottenham backed to sign £51m Piero Hincapie after double defensive injury woes
Tottenham have earmarked Bayer Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapie as key target in the final two weeks of the transfer window.
The defender is a crucial figure for the Bundesliga side, having started 28 league games in their ultimately unsuccessful title defence last term.
Hincapie is now firmly on Tottenham’s radar, and they have been tipped to shell out £51.7million to trigger the releause clause that is part of the 23-year-old’s contract.
Thomas Frank’s side got their Premier League campaign off to an ideal start at the weekend, but there could still be further additions to the squad in the coming weeks.
This article includes exclusive comment from former Tottenham scout Bryan King.
Tottenham may not be able to convince Hincapie to sign
Tottenham’s pursuit of Hincapie has now been dealt a blow with the news that Leverkusen have no intention of selling him this summer.
The Ecuadorian is seen as a key part of their project moving forward, and as a result, they are hugely reluctant to allow him to leave.
That is certainly a setback for Spurs, who will likely now turn their attention towards trying to convince Hincapie himself to push for the move.
However, ex-Spurs scout Bryan King – speaking exclusively to Tottenham News – believes that the Lilywhites would not be able to entice the defender, given the quality that they already have at the heart of their backline.
“The only reason Spurs would go for someone like that is because of the injury problems that they’ve had with (Micky) Van de Ven and (Cristian) Romero,” King said.
“Unless Tottenham feel that there’s a need for Hincapie, I can’t see really that it would be a major priority for them.
“If they want quality cover, how are they going to convince a player who costs £51m that he’ll get a regular first team place, when you’ve got two centre backs who are as good as he is?”
Spurs don’t need Hincapie
Tottenham have identified Hincapie as a key target, but there may be little point in them splashing out significant money on a player who they don’t really need.
| Stats | Hincapie | Romero | Van de Ven |
| Apps | 32 | 18 | 13 |
| Tackles Won per 90 | 1.35 | 1.85 | 0.53 |
| Interceptions per 90 | 1.08 | 1.34 | 0.88 |
| Shots Blocked per 90 | 0.67 | 0.19 | 0.71 |
| Progressive Passes per 90 | 5.12 | 4.52 | 4.51 |
| Aerial Duels Won | 60.2% | 60.3% | 48.7% |
The Ecuadorian would not provide a substantial upgrade on either of their starting centre halves in Van de Ven and Romero.
He would undoubtedly strenghten the depth options available to Frank, but then it poses the question of whether it is really necessary to spend such a sum on a player who wouldn’t start
Instead, it may be more prudent for the N17 outfit to use the money to strengthen at the other end of the pitch, where they are still chasing replacements for Son Heung-min and James Maddison.
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