Real Madrid like €40m-rated Bundesliga champion as possible defensive reinforcement | OneFootball

Real Madrid are scouring the market for reinforcements in the centre-back department after missing out on the signing of Leny Yoro, who opted to join Manchester United.

While the public stance is that Real Madrid are not desperate about signing a new central defender, they remain on the lookout for possible opportunities, especially after having parted ways with Nacho Fernandez and Rafa Marin.

Now, with Antonio Rudiger also attracting strong interest from Al Ittihad, it makes sense for the club to have contingencies in place.

Real Madrid admire Piero Hincapie

To that end, journalist Edu Burgos reports that Real Madrid really like Bayer Leverkusen defensive ace Piero Hincapie as a possible option to bolster the defensive department.

Piero Hincapie is well-liked at Real Madrid. (Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images)

Hincapie, 22, has been a key player for the Bundesliga outfit for a while now and played a role in their league title triumph last season under Xabi Alonso’s tutelage.

A left-footed defender, his arrival would also add something different to the Real Madrid centre-back department.

Hincapie’s contract with Leverkusen runs until 2027, with the Ecuadorian international having signed a new deal last year.

As such, any move to sign the 22-year-old would likely cost a significant transfer fee. It could hinder Real Madrid’s pursuit, considering that they are reluctant to shell out big sums to sign a defensive reinforcement, as was witnessed in the Yoro case.

It remains to be seen if Real Madrid’s interest in Hincapie leads to something substantial, but for now, the Ecuadorian is someone that the club like without having made any moves for him.

*Player valuation in title obtained from transfermarkt.com on date of publication