Report: Bundesliga defender emerges as key Liverpool target | OneFootball

Liverpool Look to Future as Hincapie Emerges as Van Dijk Successor

As Liverpool’s pursuit of sustained excellence continues under Arne Slot, one thing is becoming increasingly evident – the long-term plan for life beyond Virgil van Dijk is underway. According to a report from Fichajes, the Reds have identified Bayer Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapie as their “priority target” this summer, amid ongoing uncertainty over Van Dijk’s contract situation.

With the Dutchman’s deal set to expire in 2025 and no resolution in sight, Anfield’s recruitment team appear to be moving decisively. Van Dijk has shown immense form this season, but at 33, the club reportedly have concerns over the duration of his next contract.

Slot, known for meticulous planning during his Feyenoord days, appears to be overseeing a gradual evolution of his defensive line – not a dramatic overhaul, but one shaped with both the present and future in mind.

Hincapie’s Rise to Elite Status

Hincapie, still just 23, has caught the eye not only for his role in Bayer Leverkusen’s Bundesliga title-winning season but for the way he commands play from the back. Labelled a “world-class professional” by Bayer’s Managing Director Simon Rolfes, the Ecuador international has delivered 3 goals and 2 assists in 37 matches across all competitions this season – an impressive return for a central defender.

His blend of aggression, composure, and athleticism mirrors the kind of profile Liverpool have typically targeted in recent seasons. There’s a versatility too – Hincapie is comfortable at both centre-back and left-back, which offers tactical flexibility should Slot continue to deploy hybrid systems next season.

Real Madrid Competition Adds Intrigue

However, Liverpool aren’t alone. Real Madrid are also circling, and with David Alaba’s recurring injuries, Hincapie is seen as a long-term solution alongside Éder Militão. Though Antonio Rüdiger remains an option, Madrid’s intent to freshen their back line is clear.

That competition complicates things. Madrid’s gravitational pull in the transfer market is always a factor, but Liverpool have two major assets: a compelling footballing project under Slot, and an increasing willingness to invest in elite young talent.

Planning Beyond Van Dijk’s Era

For Liverpool supporters, the mention of Van Dijk and “replacement” in the same breath will feel uncomfortable. But evolution is essential in elite football. The Dutchman may yet sign a new deal, but Liverpool cannot afford to be caught flat-footed.

Whether Hincapie is indeed Van Dijk’s heir or simply a player to supplement a gradually rotating back line, the message is clear: Liverpool are not standing still. They’re planning, adapting, and looking to remain at the summit of English football.

Our View – Anfield Index

For Liverpool fans, the potential arrival of Piero Hincapie is both exciting and symbolic. While the thought of life after Van Dijk is painful – the Dutchman has inarguably been the most influential centre-back in the Premier League since his arrival in 2018 – planning for the future is not betrayal, it’s smart football.

Hincapie’s profile fits the Anfield blueprint: young, technically adept, and battle-tested in a league known for tactical complexity. His performances under Xabi Alonso at Bayer have given him a grounding in progressive, possession-based football, something Arne Slot is trying to replicate at Liverpool.

What’s even more reassuring is that this isn’t a panicked reaction. This is Liverpool identifying a talent early, knowing Real Madrid are interested, and making their move while they still hold leverage. That Bayer are already lining up a replacement in Hajdari suggests there’s more truth to this than the usual summer rumour cycle.

At £50m, Hincapie wouldn’t come cheap – but neither did Van Dijk, and look how that turned out. If this is the next chapter of Liverpool’s defensive evolution, fans should welcome it with cautious optimism.