Exclusive: Liverpool sent scouts to watch £43m defender at the weekend, they can afford to sign him

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Liverpool scouts were out and about taking a closer look at one central defensive target this weekend.

As January speeds towards its conclusion, it looks a safe bet to say that Liverpool will not be active during this window. Despite plenty of links being put forward over the past month, the Reds look set to hold what they have.

Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean that planning isn’t in full swing for the summer. With that in mind, journalist Graeme Bailey has exclusively told Rousing The Kop that Liverpool have ramped up their scouting on Bayer Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapie.

“They do want a centre-half, ideally a left sider and there are some good ones out there,” says Bailey. “That doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t go for a [Ousmane] Diomande or a [Antonio] Silva, but I think the likes of [Goncalo] Inacio and Hincapie would be more of a priority, would be an easier fit.

“We know Liverpool watched Bayer Leverkusen at the weekend. Hincapie had a particularly good game, scoring the winner as well. He is someone that can cover the left side.

“Inacio and Hincapie are the two standouts at the moment, both attainable. They’re the two to watch. They’re relatively, not cheap but Inacio has a clause, I think both are attainable for a price that would be within their realms, in terms of what they’re willing to pay.”

Liverpool still tracking Hincapie

As Liverpool consider their options in the centre-back market, Hincapie remains an interesting option. According to his agent, Manuel Sierra, he could be available for around £43m [Bola VIP]. He wouldn’t break the bank.

Like Bailey mentions, the Reds are seemingly keen on their new defender being a left-footer when he eventually arrives. There are a few more out there besides – and Levi Colwill appears to be the dream – but Hincapie and Inacio look like being the front-runners.

In terms of the former, he’s had a bit of a difficult season so far. Whereas Bayer Leverkusen are flying, the 22-year-old has found it hard to get into Xabi Alonso’s starting XI.

With another reported Liverpool target – Jonathan Tah – doing well, Hincapie has had to be patient.

An injury at the back end of last season meant that the Ecuador international was not fully fit coming into this one. As a result of that and Leverkusen’s incredible form, Hincapie hasn’t been able to get back into the side.

After a frustrating first half of the campaign though, things have now started to turn for the youngster.

Hincapie has started and finished his team’s last two games. The latest was a glorious one for him personally, as the centre-back bagged a 91st-minute winner to secure a huge win for Leverkusen over RB Leipzig on Saturday.

With Liverpool scouts in attendance, Hincapie’s timing couldn’t have been better. This is one to watch.