Liverpool Make 'Best Left Central Defender in the World' Their Top Target

 Liverpool boss Arne Slot could look to complete yet another signing from Bayer Leverkusen this summer, according to reports - with centre-back Piero Hincapie being lined up as a potential defensive target following the snub from Dean Huijsen earlier this month.

The Reds were after the Netherlands-born Spain international after a breakthrough campaign at Premier League dark horses Bournemouth, where he has excelled on the south coast, but they were beaten to his signing by Real Madrid, who activated the £50million release clause inserted into his contract. But that hasn't deterred the Merseyside outfit and with that in mind, Hincapie is next on their shortlist to improve their backline.

The Ecuadorian has been in fine form in the Bundesliga since his move

The report by Fichajes states that, despite Liverpool's recent raid of Leverkusen for Jeremie Frimpong, they may not stop there with Florian Wirtz also being a 'big target' - and they could make it a trio of signings with Hincapie being their new favoured defensive target.

The Ecuadorian talent has now emerged as their key target to improve their centre-back ranks, following Huijsen's move to La Liga giants Madrid. After some outstanding form for the Bundesliga outfit over the past two seasons, he appears to be a natural long-term replacement for Dutch centre-back supremo Virgil van Dijk on the left-hand side of their defence, with the young star being named as the 'best left central defender in the world' by the Bundesliga's official website.

The recruitment and coaching staff at Anfield consider incomings in this department as 'urgent', with the Reds not looking to compete in England but once again in Europe, having made the 2018, 2019 and 2022 Champions League finals but falling foul since.

The club want to send a clear message that a new era is coming at Anfield, and with the arrival of Hincapie alongside the other proposed targets of Milos Kerkez, Xavi Simons and Wirtz, that could become a reality.

GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Piero Hincapie has 44 caps for Ecuador, scoring three goals.

Hincapie featured in all but two Bundesliga games for Leverkusen this season, picking up his fifth yellow card of the campaign at the end of February to rule him out of their next two games - but he's since been all but an ever-present under Xabi Alonso and at the age of just 23, he'd be an ideal signing for Slot.