With one of the best coaches in Antonio Conte at the helm, Tottenham can be justifiably ambitious in the transfer window. The arrival of a world class coach paired with UEFA Champions League football, and life in London, is a wonderful mix. This puts Spurs in the mix for players who might otherwise have been out of their reach. This is being proven this summer, with the standard of targets being suggested showing clear ambition from the front office. However, one name that has come up recently is an interesting departure from this.
Reports in Germany suggest that Tottenham will be in for Bayer Leverkusen central defender Piero Hincapie. The Ecuadorian is seen as a top-class operator, the kind of defender who has the skill, technique, and pace required to play in a modern defence. He also brings goals to the table, paired with his youthful nature, making him an excellent all-around choice for Spurs this summer.
Leverkusen are believed to be keen to keep the player, but a bid in excess of £25m could definitely turn heads. Hincapie played a key role in Leverkusen enjoying a strong season, with his consistency impressing many. For one so young, he looked to be exactly the kind of player that Leverkusen needed. Bringing an aggression and a bite to the table, Hincapie was a key part of a Leverkusen defence that stood up for itself and competed well in the league and in Europe.
Familiar face appears to rival Tottenham for Hincapie
Like anything else in the world of Spurs, though, the move for Hincapie is not done and dusted. Other teams are involved, and while few of the alternative options can rival Spurs in terms of prestige and ambition, one name does stand out: AS Roma.
The Italian club won the UEFA Conference League and are coached by Jose Mourinho, the former Spurs coach. His cache of winning trophies and the alure of living in Rome, and playing in Italy, is often a hard one for South Americans to knock back. As such, Spurs will need to hope that their location, their European competition, and their equally impressive coach are enough to get ahead of the Roman giants.
For Spurs, though, this summer feels like one of the first in years where there are plans in motion for every eventuality. The club knows what it wants from its players, and it knows the kind of profile it needs in terms of signings. As such, if Hincapie does not arrive, someone of a similar profile will instead.
The Ecuadorian, though, does tick a lot of boxes for a Conte player. He can play in a back four or three, and he can play the ball with comfort down the lines and into midfield. He is aggressive and quick, and is not one to shirk a challenge. A fine blend of mental, physical, and technical attributes mark out Hincapie as the ideal choice for the left-sided defensive role in this Tottenham team.
Whether the club can beat the competition to the punch, though, remains to be seen.
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