Liverpool are actually scouting £43m man now, despite claims they won’t buy him in January – Fabrizio Romano

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Liverpool are actively scouting Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie as they assess their options in the market.

The Reds have been linked with Hincapie ever since the final weeks of the summer transfer window. However, reports from the weekend suggested that Liverpool have now dismissed the possibility of signing the 21-year-old mid-season.

Nevertheless, journalist Fabrizio Romano has today reported that the Reds are in-fact keeping a close eye on Hincapie.

Writing in his Daily Briefing, the transfer expert claimed the Ecuadorian is one of a number of defenders Liverpool are taking a closer look at. But nothing seems concrete or imminent.

“Piero Hincapie is someone who keeps being linked with Liverpool,” Romano says. “There’s always this rumour around but at the moment it’s nothing serious or concrete. Liverpool have been scouting many centre backs and also Hincapie is among them, but really nothing else. No negotiations, no direct talks at this stage.”

Liverpool keep watch over Hincapie

If Liverpool are watching Hincapie – and it seems as though they are – then they haven’t had much to go on this season. The Ecuador international has only just returned from injury.

So far, Hincapie has played just 25 minutes across three Bundesliga games for Xabi Alonso’s side.

He did play the full 90 minutes of last Thursday’s Europa League win over Molde, but that amounts to all of his action in 23/24.

Once he gets back up to full speed though, you’d expect that he’d start becoming a regular for Leverkusen once more. There’ll be plenty of chances for Liverpool to run the rule over the centre-back.

Hincapie’s agent recently suggested that he wouldn’t be leaving Leverkusen for anything under around £43m [Bola VIP].

As a result, the Reds will have to get a proper look at him to ensure it’s worth them getting the chequebook out.

So far this season, that hasn’t been possible. But as the year progresses, it feels as though this won’t be the last we’ve heard of this rumour.