Xabi Alonso would be delighted to sign Bayer Leverkusen mainstay for Real Madrid – report | OneFootball

According to a report from Rodra (via Madrid Zone), Real Madrid are monitoring Bayer Leverkusen’s versatile defender Piero Hincapie, a player who holds strong admiration from Xabi Alonso, the favourite to take over from Carlo Ancelotti this summer.

The past few weeks have seen Los Blancos scrambling to assess their defensive options. With Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba, and Ferland Mendy all undergoing surgery, Real Madrid’s depth at the back is rapidly thinning.

Even beyond the injuries, the club is actively planning for the potential departure of Alaba, whose age, recurring injuries, and sizeable wages have made his continuity uncertain.

Hincapie gaining strength?

In that context, Piero Hincapie has emerged as a genuine candidate.

At just 23 years old, the Ecuadorian international is known for his athleticism, positional intelligence, and ability to play both as a centre-back and a left-back, two of the very areas where Madrid currently face the most issues.

Crucially, though, Hincapie is viewed as a “non-negotiable” player by Alonso.

Xabi Alonso would love to have Piero Hincapie at Real Madrid. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

The Bayer Leverkusen manager has leaned on him heavily during their Bundesliga-winning campaign, and it is believed that if Alonso does indeed become the next Real Madrid coach, he would strongly advocate for the Ecuadorian’s signing.

That endorsement could prove pivotal in pushing the move through.

Finances involved

Although the defender’s release clause is reported to be €60 million, insiders suggest that an agreement could be reached for as little as €40 million—an affordable deal by Real Madrid’s standards, considering the player’s talent.

For now, Real Madrid have not finalised any defensive signing.

However, with mounting injuries, a looming managerial change, and the likelihood of Alaba’s exit, all signs point to a fresh face arriving at the back this summer and Hincapie ticks many of the right boxes.

His familiarity with Alonso’s system, combined with his ability to slot in multiple positions, makes him an ideal candidate for a squad that is looking to refresh and rebuild its defensive spine.