Everton sporting director Kevin Thelwell has reportedly held talks over the potential signing of Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie.
The Goodison Park outfit are in real trouble, sitting in the relegation zone in the Premier League after losing 2-1 at home to bottom-placed Southampton.
There is unrest between the supporters and the board, after the Merseyside club had to review their security arrangements as the board members missed the game due to threats to their safety.
They could now dip into the transfer market to try and help Frank Lampard out, with Hincapie one potential arrival according to Football Insider.
The Toffees reportedly held talks on Monday over his possible signing along with fellow top-flight rivals Newcastle United.
However, a summer move may be more likely for the central defender, who can also slot in at left-back, and Leverkusen value him in excess of £25m.
TIF thoughts on Hincapie to Everton…
Given Everton’s current situation in the league, it would be extremely difficult to persuade Hincapie to join them in this window.
Hailed as ‘the best young defender in Latin America‘ by Club Atletico Talleres president Andres Fassi upon his arrival to the Argentine club in 2020, now at Leverkusen, the 21-year-old Ecuador international has a very bright future in the game.
Hincapie ranks in the 96th percentile for dribbles completed, 93rd for progressive passes received, 91st for xAG and 89th for blocks per game of all his positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues over the past year (FBRef), and was a mainstay for his country’s side at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Nonetheless, he may not fancy a relegation battle with the Blues at this stage of his career.