Xabi Alonso favorite 'ready for next step' after Liverpool transfer links and agent claim
The agent of long-rumored Liverpool target Piero Hincapie has admitted that the Bayer Leverkusen defender is ready for the "next step" in his career.
The 23-year-old formed an integral part of Xabi Alonso's side en route to completing a historic Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal domestic double during the 2023-24 season. The gifted star played 43 times in all competitions last term, playing primarily as a center-back and left-back as Die Werkself went unbeaten in the league to win the championship.
The Ecuadorian talent has been an ever-present for Leverkusen so far this season too and recently committed his future to the club by penning a new deal. Renewing his terms with the Bay Arena outfit in December, his fresh terms mean that he now has an agreement which will run until the summer of 2029.
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Hincapie had previously been named as a potential target for Liverpool on the strength of his performances under head coach Alonso. However, recent comments from the player's agent Manuel Sierra may inspire belief among Anfield recruitment chiefs that the player could still be open to a move elsewhere in the future.
Speaking to Caught Offside, the star's representative said: "Basically he’s a warrior, he’s a leader. He is, for me, one of the best left central defenders in the world. One of the best left-backs and the best hybrid players for sure. I mean, he needs – or he deserves to – play in the world’s best places. He’s very happy in Bayer but he’s ready for the next step.
"He is also very good at playmaking. He just likes to win like nothing else. He competes for win all the time, even when he hasn’t played that often. He’s a warrior, but above all, he is a very good person; nice person and humble guy who knows where he comes from."
After Hincapie signed a contract extension with Leverkusen last month, club managing director Simon Rolfes said: "Piero Hincapie joined us in 2021 as a 19-year-old talent but, even then, you could see how confident he is in his abilities. Today, Piero is in the league of world-class professionals like Lionel Messi or Mo Salah. He has earned respect worldwide."
Meanwhile, the defender said: "This signature is more than just signing a contract. Bayer 04 Leverkusen has become like a family to me after three-and-a-half years.
"The club and the fans are special, and we have a team that showed last season what’s possible when you unconditionally stick together. I’m really happy that people are pleased with me and giving me the chance to continue to help shape the future of this club."
As for rumors regarding transfer targets, Liverpool boss Arne Slot said: "I think I said it after the West Ham United game [to journalists], please don't disappoint me, please come up with all these players and all these clubs that are in the interest of us. Or the ones that don't play a lot for us are going to go somewhere else.
"That [speculation] is what is happening now. And nine out of 10 times or 99 out of 100 times, at the end of the window it's been clear that almost all of these stories weren't true. So what can I comment about it? The rumours keep going for it but no comment from my side."