Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group A - Ecuador v Senegal - Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar - November 29, 2022 Ecuador's Piero Hincapie reacts REUTERS/Stephane Mahe
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s (KSA) Public Investment Fund (PIF) have reportedly ‘held talks’ over signing defender Piero Hincapie for Newcastle United.
The Lowdown: Ashby deal ‘agreed’
Newcastle have reportedly ‘agreed’ a deal to sign right-back Harrison Ashby from West Ham United for a fee wort £3m including add-ons, and he is expected to have a medical on Tyneside before Tuesday evening’s deadline.
This comes after the signing of winger Anthony Gordon from Everton, with the Saudi ownership looking busy in the last few days of the transfer window.
The Latest: Hincapie talks held
As per Football Insider, the St. James’ Park outfit have also ‘held talks’ over the signing of Hincapie, but fellow Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur are in talks too, and have reportedly had a £22m bid rejected for him.
The Magpies want to wait until the summer to sign Hincapie, and Bayer Leverkusen are ‘adamant’ that he will not leave this month anyway.
The Verdict: Get a deal in place
The North East club should try and get a deal in place for Hincapie now if they can, rather than waiting until the summer where he is sure to gain more interest, and could potentially be snapped up quick.
Hailed as an ‘outstanding‘ player by Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig, he possesses many characteristics needed in a modern-day defender, and is equally as comfortable at playing at left-back as well as at centre-half.
The 21-year-old already has 24 caps for Ecuador, including three at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar (Transfermarkt), showing that he has been trusted to perform on the big stage despite his age, while he has also played 21 times for Leverkusen so far this season, including five appearances in the coveted UEFA Champions League (Transfermarkt).
Nonetheless, Hincapie would add quality to what is an already stubborn defence under Eddie Howe, having conceded just 11 goals in the Premier League so far, by far the best defensive record in the division.
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