According to reports, Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie “would love to move to the Premier League” amid interest from Liverpool and West Ham United.
Liverpool have been focused on improving their midfield this summer and over £100m has been spent to sign Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Wataru Endo.
The Reds reportedly remain in the market for one or two more signings before the summer transfer window closes and it’s been suggested that they are keen to sign a new centre-back.
Hincapie is set to return from injury and it’s been reported by Fussball transfers that Liverpool and West Ham are ‘in the running’ to sign him from Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen.
Ben Jacobs is reporting that the 21-year-old “would love” to sign for a Premier League club and while “no formal offers” have yet been submitted, the reliable journalist suggests that “he will push to do so if anything is tabled around £35m”.
Earlier this month, it was indicated by the not-so-reliable Spanish media that Liverpool intend to ‘close the signing’ of Hincapie before the summer transfer window closes.
Liverpool are also being linked with several forwards amid heavy interest in Mo Salah from Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad.
Former Chelsea flop Joao Felix has emerged as a potential candidate to replace Salah, but they have also been linked with West Ham’s Jarrod Bown and PSV’s Johan Bakayoko in recent weeks.
Jacobs had indicated that Felix “wants to stay in Europe” but his “preference” is to sign for European giants Barcelona.
“Joao Felix is also a possibility for Saudi dealmakers. His preference is Barcelona, and the Portuguese playmaker is waiting to see if a deal is possible,” Jacobs told Caught Offside.
“If it isn’t, keep an eye on a move to Saudi. Atletico Madrid would love to sell to Saudi and would expect a fee similar to the €90m Al-Hilal paid to PSG for Neymar.
“However, the Spanish side may have to loan Felix simply because the player may prefer a season-long deal. Should a negotiation advance, the exact terms will have to be defined.
“Felix hasn’t been allocated a final Saudi club yet because things are not that far long. But Al-Hilal had tempted Felix. He might have already moved had Atleti not rejected a £12m loan offer.”
Jacobs added: “Felix has always indicated he wants to stay in Europe, but I wouldn’t rule out Saudi. He’ll wait and see what transpires with Barcelona right until the close of the window.
“Felix would also be open to a return to Chelsea, but even with Christopher Nkunku currently injured Mauricio Pochettino and his sporting directors haven’t changed their position and are focused on other targets as it stands.”