Piero Hincapie is a wanted man after emerging as one of the Bundesliga's brightest prospects.

The Bayer Leverkusen defender has been linked with Newcastle, Roma and AC Milan — but Liverpool are the latest club rumoured to be interested.

And the Reds could be set to delve into the transfer market in January as they look to compete on four fronts in the second half of the campaign.

Ahead of today's clash with Burnley, we consider what Hincapie would bring to Liverpool's backline.

On the market

Leverkusen have been one of Europe's standout teams this season, leading the Bundesliga by four points going into the winter break.

Hincapie has contributed, although his game time has been surprisingly limited under manager Xabi Alonso.

The Ecuadorian has started just three Bundesliga matches, making a further six appearances as a substitute.

He has played six times in the Europa League, though, helping his side top their group and progress to the knockout stages.

Nonetheless, Hincapie's peripheral role so far in 2023-24 has only added to speculation around a possible exit.

The 21-year-old made 30 Bundesliga appearances last term — but Alonso has preferred a back three of Odilon Kossounou, Jonathan Tah and Edmond Tapsoba in recent months.

Despite falling out of favour, Hincapie still has plenty of suitors and remains a player with significant potential.

With a reported release clause of £60.7million in his contract, Liverpool might hope to negotiate a better price with Leverkusen when the transfer window opens.

Modern defender

Hincapie's versatility will appeal to Jurgen Klopp, who has found himself short of defensive options this season.

Joel Matip is a long-term absentee after suffering an ACL injury, leaving Ibrahima Konate, Joe Gomez and youngster Jarell Quansah as potential partners for Virgil van Dijk.

Konate has generally been Klopp's first choice although more competition and depth can only benefit a team still going strong in four competitions.

Hincapie is capable of playing both as a centre-back and a left-back, with the technical and physical qualities to excel in either position.

Primarily, though, the 30-cap international is a defender, concerned more with keeping clean sheets than creating chances.

Speaking in February last year, he said: "It's the position [centre-back] I feel most comfortable in. I can give orders to my team-mates and that's something I like.

"It gives me an outlet when it comes to playing the ball, much more than at full-back, always going back and forth."

Playing the ball is one of Hincapie's best qualities — no player in the Bundesliga has a better passing accuracy this season (95.19%) and he ranks fifth in the division for completed passes per 90 minutes (85.09).

Looking ahead

As well as his ball-playing ability, Hincapie is an accomplished defender and a player with the tactical intelligence to fit into different systems.

Alonso said: "He can play in different positions.

"He's aggressive, is making better decisions when he has the ball, backs himself more to play diagonal passes and get in behind."

Even if his progress has slowed slightly at Leverkusen this season, there is no question about Hincapie's ability.

His addition would add extra quality to a Liverpool side with big ambitions.