Everton and Newcastle United in pursuit of Bayern Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie as £50m+ update emerges
Everton and Newcastle United reportedly have Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie, valued at over £50m, on their radar but there is “no chance” the Toffees will be able to attract the defender this summer, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.
The talented 21-year-old centre-back recently signed a contract extension at the German Bundesliga giants running until 2027, following several interest from top clubs around Europe.
The Toffees have also been credited with an interest in the player recently with the Blues holding talks with the defender last month, according to the Guardian USA [print edition, page 45, 18 January].
With both clubs still reportedly having the player on their radar for the summer transfer window, CBS journalist Jacobs, writing on Fabrizio Romano’s Caught Offside substack column [14 February] claimed that there is “no chance” that Everton could attract the player’s services ahead of both Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United.
He said: “Tottenham do really like Hincapie and Newcastle United and Everton have him on their radar, too. I don’t see Everton being able to attract Hincapie, and if they do go down there’s obviously no chance.”
Jacobs went on to mention the price tag Leverkusen may set to sell the gifted centre-back, even after tying him down to a new deal. He said: “With Hincapie, it’s now about Leverkusen being able to stick to their own valuation. I suspect something around £50-£55m, but it could be even higher.”
Pipe dream
Considering the Toffees placing in the Premier League standings compared to Tottenham and Newcastle United, and there being no chance of European qualification next summer, Jacobs is absolutely correct in that there is no chance the Blues will be able to attract his services this summer.
Reports stating that the club have him on their radar should simply be deemed as a pipe dream.
The Toffees are not even guaranteed a place in the Barclays Premier League next season, let alone a spot in Europe, which means the club will have to focus their efforts elsewhere, despite their potentially being an opportunity to spend big this summer following the £45m sale of their prized asset in Anthony Gordon to Newcastle.
Gone are the days, of the Toffees being able to challenge the likes of Tottenham and Newcastle for incredible young talents like Hincapie as they simply do not hold the lofty ambitions in the league table and in Europe to match.
A huge rebuild from top to bottom at Goodison Park is desperately required if they are to spend big and ambitiously coveted talents again in the market. There is a long way to go yet, before that can be achieved.