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Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso reportedly wants Liverpool target Piero Hincapie to stay at BayArena. The Ecuador international has been heavily linked with a move to Anfield in recent months, with the speculation intensifying over the last few weeks.
As claimed by The Liverpool Echo, the Reds are not the only club interested in the 22-year-old. Tottenham Hotspur, Atletico Madrid, and Bayern Munich are also understood to be keen on the versatile defender.
The aforementioned report claims that Alonso has urged Hincapie to stay at least another season at Leverkusen. The report also states that Liverpool had an approach turned down for the Ecuadorian in January. But the Reds have renewed their interest ahead of the summer transfer deadline day.
New Liverpool boss Arne Slot is yet to make a single addition to the squad he inherited from Jurgen Klopp. The Merseyside giants have parted ways with Joel Matip, whose contract expired at Anfield, while they are also believed to be happy to cash in on Joe Gomez.
Regardless of Gomez's future at Anfield, Liverpool are short of options and depth at the heart of the defense. Skipper Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, and Jarell Quansah are among the senior options while the futures of Sepp van den Berg and Nat Phillips are up in the air.
Hincapie is highly rated across Europe for his immense potential and ability to play at both left-back and centre-back. The young defender played a key role in helping Bayer Leverkusen defy the odds and clinch the Bundesliga title last season.
Since moving to Bayer Leverkusen from Argentine side Talleres in the summer of 2021, Hincapie has become a key player for the German club, making 120 appearances across competitions.
Peter Crouch surprised by Liverpool star's exit rumors
Former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch has expressed surprise to see Joe Gomez being linked with an exit from Anfield. The England international was left out of the Reds' traveling squad to face Ipswich Town in their season opener at Portman Road on Sunday, August 17.
Following Liverpool's 2-0 win over the Tractor Boys, it was reported by Paul Joyce that the Merseyside giants are considering selling the versatile defender. Crouch insisted that he was surprised with the news and stated Gomez never let Liverpool down. The former England striker was quoted as saying by The Boot Room:
"A little bit yeah. I just think he’s a great man to have around the squad. He’s never let the team down."
Crouch also claimed that it could be Gomez who is more keen on moving on rather than Liverpool trying to force him out.
"You look at the injuries last year and players like that had to come in and cover the first-team players if you like. He’s given a great account of himself at Liverpool, so maybe it’s his choice to move on," he added.
Gomez is currently the longest-serving player at Anfield having been at the club since the summer of 2015. He joined the Reds for a reported £3.5 million fee from Charlton Athletic and has made 224 appearances for Liverpool.
