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Long-serving Crystal Palace midfielder Luka Milivojevic could be nearing a departure from the club this summer, according to journalist Matt Woosnam.

What’s the word?

Writing on Twitter about the club captain’s situation, the trusted insider admitted that it might be “time to move on” for the Serbian gem, having struggled for game time under Patrick Vieira this term.

Going into further depth on the 31-year-old’s future in his piece for The Athletic, Woosnam revealed that the 39-cap international had even been booed at the club’s end of season awards night, with frustration brewing among some sections of support for his on-field failings, as well as his reported breach of pandemic restrictions last year.

This follows a report earlier this week that suggested the £4.5m-rated man is considering an exit from Selhurst Park in the upcoming window, with former club Olympiakos – who he left to join the Premier League outfit in January 2017 – keen on a reunion.

Time to go

Although he may not have endeared himself to the club’s supporters for his off-field actions in recent times – as mentioned above – it is his form on the pitch which is likely to be a key factor in his departure, with few sorry to see him go should he find a new home in the coming months.

A solid servant of the south London side over the past five-and-a-half years, the defensive midfielder has netted 28 Premier League goals in that time, proving himself to be a lethal presence from dead-ball situations.

Having bagged an impressive 22 top-flight goals in just his first two full campaigns at the club, the goals have since dried up for the £80k-per-week skipper, however, with the arrival of new boss Vieira also restricting him to just 14 league outings this season – only nine of which have been starts.

Among a largely youthful and exuberant side, the ageing gem has somewhat stuck out like a sore thumb, failing to keep pace with the energetic and relentless teammates around him.

That has been illustrated by his underwhelming statistics so far this term, with Milivojevic averaging just 0.7 interceptions and 0.9 clearances per game thus far, while also winning possession just 0.3 times per 90, as well as providing just 0.8 key passes on average.

The one-time Anderlecht star also ranks poorly among those in his position across Europe’s top five leagues, as per FBref, ranking in just the top 90% for interceptions made, while he also has a fairly dismal pass completion rate of just 79.8% and averages just 4.14 progressive passes per game, proving himself ineffectual in both attack and defence.

Despite what is set to be a summer of change in midfield – with both Cheikhou Kouyate and James McArthur out of contract and Conor Gallagher set to return to parent club Chelsea – Vieira must not hesitate in wielding the axe on his current skipper.

Although there will be a fondness for his service to the club, supporters will likely be keen to see the back of him at the end of the campaign.

AND in other news: Vieira now heading for 1st summer transfer disaster, Palace supporters will be gutted

An exciting Newcastle United injury lift has emerged over the weekend regarding two first-team players…

What’s the talk?

Magpies boss Eddie Howe has reacted to Kieran Trippier and Callum Wilson both making their long-awaited returns from their respective knocks.

Both players came off the bench in what turned out to be a disappointing afternoon for the Toon army as they lost 5-0 to Manchester City at The Etihad in the Premier League.

After the match, The Chronicle quoted Howe as saying: “Massive boost for everyone connected at Newcastle to see them back. We have missed them.”

Supporters will be buzzing

The supporters will surely be buzzing with both of them being back in action for the Magpies for multiple reasons.

Firstly, it means that Trippier and Wilson can both have a say in where Newcastle finish in the league table. They are currently one point off the top half of the table and this means that they are in with a realistic chance of landing in the top-10 if they can pick up results against Arsenal and Burnley.

Both players being fit and available will be a boost because they have proven that they can put in top performances for the club. Trippier has averaged an exceptional SofaScore rating of 7.42 since arriving from Atletico Madrid in the January transfer window and has scored two goals for the club to date, showing that he can make an impact in the final third whilst putting in sublime all-round displays from full-back.

Wilson, on the other hand, has scored 18 Premier League goals since the start of last season. He has found the back of the net six times in 14 starts this term after managing 12 goals and five assists in 23 starts in 2020/21, which shows that he is capable of being a match-winner for the Magpies with his knack for scoring goals.

Therefore, both players have the requisite quality to have a major say in Newcastle’s last two matches of the campaign. They can help the team to finish in the top half and that would be an exciting way to end Howe’s first season at the club.

The fans will also be buzzing with their availability as it means that they will be getting game time under their belt ahead of 2022/23. It means that they will not be arriving for pre-season with more work to do than the others as they have been fully integrated back into the group this month.

AND in other news, Forget Dubravka: £23k-p/w NUFC lightweight who lost 75% duels let Howe down badly…

Jurgen Klopp will make a late decision over Roberto Firmino’s involvement in Liverpool’s crucial Premier League clash with Tottenham this weekend.

The Lowdown: Massive game at Anfield

The Reds are looking to return to the top of the table on Saturday evening, for the time being at least, as they welcome Spurs to Anfield for one of the biggest games of the season.

Antonio Conte’s side are battling for a top-four finish with rivals Arsenal, so the eventual outcome on Merseyside could be enormous for both sides.

Firmino has been Liverpool’s only injury absentee of late but a key update has now emerged regarding his fitness ahead of the match.

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The Latest: Late call on Firmino

Taking to Twitter, journalist James Pearce relayed Klopp’s words on the Brazilian, saying he will decide whether or not to include him in the squad on the day:

“Klopp on Firmino: “He’s back in training so now we have to make a decision. It might make more sense for him to just train through the weekend and then he’ll be a big stop closer for Tuesday.”

The Verdict: No need to risk him

There was a time when an injury to Firmino felt disastrous, with Klopp so reliant on him staying fit for long spells, along with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.

Liverpool have incredible attacking depth after signing Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz, however, so there is no need to rush back a potentially undercooked player.

Divock Origi is an option from the substitutes’ bench, too, given his penchant for scoring important goals, so it would make more sense to allow Firmino to continue his recovery over the weekend, potentially featuring at Aston Villa on Tuesday night.

In other news, a pundit has torn into one ‘shocking’ Liverpool player. Find out who it is here.

Everton centre-back Michael Keane is admired by West Ham United but isn’t regarded as a ‘tier-one target’. 

That’s according to transfer insider Dean Jones, who was speaking to GiveMeSport on Sunday evening.

The lowdown

The Daily Star’s Harry Pratt reported last month that West Ham want to sign another centre-back ahead of next season, and Keane features their shortlist.

Current West Ham manager and former Everton boss David Moyes is said to rate Keane highly after their brief time together at Manchester United.

Moyes is ready to offer the Englishman an ‘immediate route back to the Premier League’ if his team are relegated – the 29-year-old would apparently cost the Irons as much as £20million.

Everton are currently in the bottom three, two points behind Leeds and Burnley with a game in hand. A ‘major exodus’ is anticipated if they fall into the second tier.

Keane has played 182 times for the club to date, scoring ten goals and providing seven assists, and also racked up 12 caps for his country.

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The latest

Jones tells GMS that West Ham are ‘definitely’ fans of Keane but expects them to assess other options on the continent and potential free transfers before turning to the Everton man.

“I think they’ll look on the continent first and also the free agent market is opening up quite nicely,” he said.

“It’s a tricky one because they definitely like him, but he’s not a tier one target, I wouldn’t say.”

The verdict

If West Ham do make a move for Keane, then Everton may already have a potential replacement in mind.

The Daily Mail claim that they like Hoffenheim’s Florian Grillitsch, who’s set to be a free agent come the summer when his contract expires.

Grillitsch is listed as a defensive midfielder but he’s played the majority of his football this season as a centre-back.

Three years Keane’s junior, he’s combative, strong in possession and reads the game well (going by his WhoScored profile). It could be a smart, frugal move from the Blues to offload Keane for a decent fee then replace him with a Bosman deal.

In other news, Adam Jones was stunned by one thing that happened at Sunday.

As we approached 2025, the fear was that Liverpool would lose their talisman, an all-time great in the form of Mohamed Salah, on a free transfer.

Well, the Egyptian signed a new deal and closed out an enthralling individual season for the Reds. He led Arne Slot’s team to title glory, taking home the Premier League title back in May.

The foundations Slot had built during his maiden campaign in English football were remarkable but it’s all petered out in frantic fashion throughout the ongoing term.

A year on from uncertainty surrounding Salah’s future, a different sense of uncertainty lingers heading into 2026.

This time around it feels unlikely that he’ll be staying around at Anfield for much longer. It’s a sad end for one of the Premier League’s modern-day greats.

Why Mohamed Salah could leave Liverpool

The winger had an enthralling 2024/25 season, ending the year with a whopping 34 goals and 23 assists in 52 outings. However, this term has not been a pretty one for the Egyptian who has only bagged five times in 19 appearances for Liverpool.

Slot’s side have been in a rotten run and Salah’s poor form has coincided with that. He’s been so poor, however, that the Dutchman has taken the decision to select him on the bench across the last three games. As Salah himself said post-game, it’s unheard of.

However, there lies the problem. What Salah said after the game. He launched a stunning attack on Slot after Liverpool drew 3-3 with Leeds and it has thrown his immediate future in Merseyside into doubt.

“I’m very disappointed, Salah began. “I’ve done so much for this club – everyone can see that – over years, especially last season, sitting on the bench I don’t know why. It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. That’s how I feel it.”

The forward continued: “It’s very clear that someone wants me to get all the blame. Club promised me a lot in summer. So far I I’m on bench three games, so can’t say they have kept those promises.

“I say many times I had a good relationship with the manager and all of a sudden we don’t have any relationship, I don’t know why. It seems like someone does not want me in the club.

“But again this club, I always support it. my kids will always support it. I love the club so much and I will always do. I called my mum yesterday because I knew I wasn’t going to start and told my mum and dad to the Brighton game [next Saturday].”

The latest on Mohamed Salah's future at Liverpool

It’s thought that one of Salah’s main suitors continues to be Saudi Arabia and it would not be a surprise if he heads off to the Middle East before too long.

That’s because he’s now been totally excluded from the matchday squad for Liverpool’s clash with Inter Milan in the week.

According to Football FanCast sources, Richard Hughes and Co met after Salah made those comments and while it initially looked like he could just miss the clash with Inter, he has officially been removed from selection for a ‘short period’.

Sources suggest that the decision has been taken in consultation with manager Slot in the best interests of the player, the squad and the club. It’s thought that the boss has given the decision his full support.

Whether that means that Salah will miss Liverpool’s next league game against Brighton next Saturday remains to be seen but considering the attacker is due to head off to AFCON after that, it’s likely this is the last we’ll see of him in a Liverpool shirt, at least this year.

What the future holds in the long term is currently unknown but it’s certainly not looking good for either player or manager right now.

Gallery: How Salah interacted with Liverpool teammates in training on Monday

Mo Salah is unhappy with life at Liverpool right now.

ByFFC Staff Dec 8, 2025

Wayne Rooney has bemoaned one “crazy” West Ham United “problem” and Graham Potter’s “lack of belief”, following the recent 2-1 defeat against Crystal Palace.

West Ham suffer another setback against Crystal Palace

Potter appears to be on very thin ice after the 2-1 defeat at home against Crystal Palace last time out, with the West Ham hierarchy now running the rule over potential replacements.

Following the most recent loss, the Hammers are 19th in the Premier League table, having tasted defeat in four of their opening five games, with Gary O’Neil and Sean Dyche also entering the frame as potential Potter replacements.

In the wake of yet another loss, Rooney has bemoaned the Hammers’ inability to defend set-pieces, while also calling into question the atmosphere at the club.

West Ham now weigh up concrete approach to sign £17m England international

West Ham now weighing up concrete approach for £17m England international.

ByDominic Lund Sep 21, 2025

The former Manchester United man said: “I analysed the set-pieces yesterday, last night, on Match of the Day and it’s all second balls. Graham Potter came out and said they’ve been working on set plays, so as a coach there’s only so much you can do, but they’re not winning the first header and the problem is they’re not reacting quick enough, and then the second ball, they’re conceding goals.

“So, it’s crazy to concede seven from five, but when you have a lack of confidence and a lack of belief – I think that’s clear with the West Ham players and the fans as well I can imagine. There’s a lack of a belief in the team, and it looks like the owners and the manager.”

Potter must fix defensive issues to keep his job

Defending from set-pieces has undoubtedly been a major issue for the Irons, with Potter saying: “We’ve addressed [our weakness from dead-balls] and we’re working to improve it. We conceded too many, had to defend a lot. That is something we also have to look at. It’s just constant work on the training ground.”

However, having been in the dugout since January, the 50-year-old has had more than enough time to fix the glaring problems, and there have been very few promising signs, winning just six of the 25 games he has taken charge of.

The Hammers have also conceded 13 goals already this season, the highest number of any Premier League side, so it is clear their top-flight status could be in jeopardy if there is not either a radical improvement or a change in manager.

While he arguably wouldn’t be the flashiest of appointments, Dyche could be a solid option for West Ham, at least on a short-term basis, having led Everton to safety when the Toffees were in a similar position.

Chelsea wanted to sign a new centre-back in the summer transfer window and were actively exploring options, following Levi Colwill’s disastrous ACL injury which is expected to keep him out for a large portion of 2025/2026.

Enzo Maresca even publicly asked the club to bring in a new central defender, and they were actively pursuing a deal for Dean Huijsen before the Spaniard ultimately opted for Real Madrid.

While the Italian later backtracked on this message, claiming an internal solution was the only option, it is crystal clear from Maresca’s statement there that he’s not happy with Chelsea’s current defensive options.

Colwill’s injury has left them light in that area, with Wesley Fofana also having struggled for consistent fitness since his £70 million move from Leicester City three years ago.

Joao Pedro

Noni Madueke

Jamie Gittens

João Félix

Jorrel Hato

Djordje Petrovic

Liam Delap

Lesley Ugochukwu

Dario Essugo

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

Mamadou Sarr

Renato Veiga

Estevao

Armando Broja

Kendry Paez

Carney Chukwuemeka

Alejandro Garnacho

Mathis Amougou

Basir Humphreys

Kepa Arrizabalaga

Marcus Bettinelli

Christopher Nkunku

Nicolas Jackson (obligation to buy in 2026)

Alfie Gilchrist

Lucas Bergstrom

Ben Chilwell

Axel Disasi is part of the Chelsea ‘bomb squad’ with Raheem Sterling, and while Benoit Badiashile has returned to first-team training this week, it is unclear how ready he is to feature for Maresca.

Summer signing Jorrel Hato can play centre-back but is primarily viewed as a left-back and alternative to Marc Cucurella, leaving little wonder why Maresca was so keen on another option to bolster the heart of his defence.

With the UK window closing on September 1, this could still be on the agenda for 2026, with journalist Graeme Bailey reporting that they’re big fans of Club Brugge starlet Joel Ordonez.

Chelsea send officials on midweek mission with Joel Ordonez set to leave Brugge

Speaking to TBR Football, Bailey states that Chelsea scouts were sent to run the rule over Ordonez during Ecuador’s 1-0 win over Argentina on Wednesday.

Enner Valencia scored the only game of the game as both Moises Caicedo and Nicolas Otamendi were sent off during a tense affair, but Ordonez managed to help Ecuador keep a clean sheet against the world champions.

The 21-year-old, according to reports, is valued at around £40 million by Brugge, and Bailey says that Ordonez is “almost certain” to leave in 2026 amid interest from Chelsea.

Tottenham have also been credited with an interest in the “huge talent”, with his mooted summer move to Marseille falling through. It could only be a matter of time before he’s plying his trade in the Premier League, and Ordonez ticks nearly every box.

With the summer transfer window set to open on the 1st of June, it is clear that Chelsea are going to sign a striker. The Blues, who face Real Betis in the Conference League final on Wednesday, are strongly linked with several new names who could lead the line for them.

A recent report from Kieran Gill for The Mail named some of the striker targets the Blues are chasing this summer. They include Eintracht Frankfurt youngster Hugo Ekitike, also wanted by Liverpool, and fellow Bundesliga striker Benjamin Sesko, currently playing for RB Leipzig.

However, there is another man the West Londoners are interested in, for whom they are thought to be leading the race to sign.

Chelsea’s main striker target

It will be fascinating to see who the Blues pursue this summer, with regards to their centre-forward targets. Of course, they seem to be strong contenders to sign Ekitike and Sesko, but they are arguably not their preferred choice.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Well, according to a report from Chris Wheeler of The Mail, Chelsea are currently the favourites to sign Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap. The Blues have ‘edged ahead’ in the race in recent days, perhaps swung by their Champions League qualification, which was confirmed on Sunday.

This has been corroborated by journalist Graeme Bailey, with the transfer insider outlining that the Blues are now ‘confident’ that they will beat Manchester United in the battle for his signature, having already held ‘fresh talks’ with the player.

Any deal for the in-demand striker would cost in the region of £30m, owing to a relegation release clause in his contract at Portman Road.

Why Delap would be a good signing

Few players in their first Premier League campaign have made as much of an impression this season as Delap. In what was a disappointing season for Ipswich as a whole, the England under-21 forward certainly made a big impact.

The 22-year-old, who is the son of Stoke City cult hero Rory, played 37 times in his first full Premier League season. In that time, he managed to bag himself 12 goals and also chipped in with two assists.

One of the biggest positives about Delap is his consistency. His longest goal drought in 2024/25 was seven games, which actually came in the final few games of the season.

Aside from that, he was a consistent scorer for the Tractor Boys, even finding the back of the net against Chelsea in a 2-0 win at Portman Road.

If the Blues do manage to sign Delap, then he is in safe hands under Enzo Maresca. The Italian coach certainly knows how to get the best out of a clinical goalscorer, given the form Jamie Vardy showed under him for Leicester City last season in the Championship.

In 37 games under the now-Chelsea boss, the Foxes legend helped himself to 20 goals and two assists. That included 18 strikes in 35 Championship appearances, to help his side win the league and return to the top flight.

Maresca certainly knows how to handle a deadly centre-forward and get the best out of him, be it as an individual goalscorer or his general striker play.

In a team that scored 89 goals in 2023/24, Vardy had to be selfless too, and Maresca helped him fit in with the team’s dynamic.

Well, that can certainly be said about Delap, too. One person full of praise for the Ipswich star is analyst Ben Mattinson, who described him as “a problem for every Premier League defence”. He’s also been described as a “monster” by teammate Alex Palmer.

The stats on Sofascore from this season show he is more than just a goalscorer, but a well-rounded striker. For example, Delap won an average of two aerial duels per game and played 21 key passes this term.

Shots

2.3

68

Shots on target

1.1

32

Dribbles completed

1.4

40

Aerial duels won

2

58

Expected goal involvements

0.37xGI

10.75xGI

Vardy and Delap are also noted as similar players among those in their position in both Europe’s top five leagues and in the Premier League, as per FBref, reflecting their statistical likeness.

For example, the Ipswich forward averages 0.34 goals per shot on target and 0.24 goal-creating actions per 90 minutes. In comparison, Vardy averages 0.35 goals per shot on target and 0.32 goal-creating actions each game.

The fact that they are so similar surely plays into Maresca’s hands, too. He surely knows how to get the best out of his number nines, and they are certainly like-for-like players, as the stats back up.

Maresca knows what he is doing when it comes to getting the best out of a striker. Delap will surely fit the bill nicely, as someone who is happy to work hard for his team and can score goals at a good rate, too.

If he can be as good as Vardy was under Maresca, then Delap will surely be a success at Stamford Bridge.

He's shades of Drogba: Chelsea open discussions to sign "the next Mbappe"

Chelsea needs to sign a striker or two this summer

2 ByRoss Kilvington May 27, 2025

An “incredible” £60m player wants to join Manchester United ahead of rival suitors Arsenal this summer, with talks over a deal now set to be opened, according to reporter David Ornstein.

Man Utd eyeing new forward despite Cunha and Bruno boosts

Man United endured a torrid 2024-25 campaign, finishing 15th in the Premier League, but Bruno Fernandes was one of their shining lights, regularly providing goals and assists in all competitions.

Bruno Fernandes 24/25

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Premier League

36

8

11

Europa League

17

7

4

EFL Cup

3

2

1

FA Cup

3

2

2

Despite Fernandes’ impressive performances throughout the season, there have been some suggestions that United should cash-in on the attacking midfielder this summer, with Paul Scholes saying: “They are talking about £100m for him, Man United cannot say no to that. I know he has been brilliant and carried the team on his back, but where does he actually play, what is his position?”

However, it now appears as though the Portugal international could be staying put, with Fabrizio Romano taking to X to provide a new update on his future.

Fernandes may be set to remain at Old Trafford, but the Red Devils still remain keen on bringing in additional attacking firepower this summer, winning the race to sign Brazil forward Matheus Cunha despite interest from Arsenal, who of course have the bonus of being able to offer Champions League football.

And Ornstein has now revealed they’re not finished there, as Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo “wants to join Man Utd” this summer. Mbeumo has also attracted interest from Arsenal, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur, but he would prefer to join United if a deal can be agreed, with talks now set to be opened.

Man Utd considering £400k-p/w striker with stunning 68 goals in 79 games

The Red Devils could bring a familiar face back to the Premier League.

1 BySean Markus Clifford Jun 3, 2025 "Incredible" Mbeumo could take Man Utd's attack to next level

Brentford boss Thomas Frank has been left impressed by the forward in recent times, lauding him as “incredible”, and it is clear to see why, with the Cameroonian reaching the 20-goal mark in the Premier League, while also providing eight assists.

In the past, United have perhaps made the mistake of taking risks on players unproven in England, with Rasmus Hojlund failing to deliver after arriving from Atalanta, so it makes sense to pursue a new forward with a track record of success in the Premier League.

A deal for the France-born forward will not be cheap, with reports from elsewhere revealing Brentford could look to hold out for £60m, but his recent exploits for Brentford indicate he could be a fantastic addition to a Man United squad in desperate need of a reliable goalscorer.

Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee netted just 17 goals between them in all competitions last season, a figure Mbeumo eclipsed by himself, despite not playing in Europe.

Liverpool will sign Jeremie Frimpong in the coming weeks (perhaps even sooner). The Bayer Leverkusen star was swiftly identified by FSG as the perfect player to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold, who will join Real Madrid when his contract expires next month.

Though some fans will point toward Frimpong’s advanced role in Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen side and reserve judgment until a personal gauge on his defensive ability can be delivered, there’s no question he’s an exciting profile, different to Trent but still a “monster in the final third,” as said by The United Stand’s Beth Tucker.

With the balanced Conor Bradley already making headway in Arne Slot’s team, this contrast of profiles on the right could work a treat for the Merseysiders as they look to defend their Premier League title and challenge for silverware across other fronts.

But it stings that Liverpool have been forced into replacing Alexander-Arnold all the same, with the atmosphere around the vice-captain souring since he intimated his decision to the world earlier this month.

Especially when Los Blancos constantly prove to be the scourge of the Anfield side, with their success in signing Dean Huijsen proving a double whammy.

Why Liverpool wanted Dean Huijsen

Liverpool have two of the finest defenders kicking about today in Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, but the skipper is nearing the twilight of his Premier League career and the latter has just one year remaining on his current deal.

And you can bet your bottom dollar Real Madrid have a vested interest in bringing him to the Spanish capital.

Huijsen was one of Liverpool’s top targets for the summer, but the Bournemouth centre-back has indeed agreed to join Alonso’s new crew, so will partner with Trent in the Madrid backline.

Slot’s side were thought to have had the lead in the young Spaniard, whose breakout campaign in England has drawn plenty of praise, talent scout Jacek Kulig hailing his “extraordinary rise.”

The prototypical modern centre-half, Huijsen’s technical control, rangy physique and natural intelligence make him the perfect player to slot right into the Liverpool project – and he’s left-footed besides.

However, this one’s done, and FSG need to turn their attention elsewhere. Luckily, sporting director Richard Hughes is on the case.

Liverpool make new CB a top target

Liverpool need to sign a centre-back, to be sure. Konate’s actually the last senior signing in that area, arriving from RB Leipzig for £36m four years ago.

Slot needs a rising star, and he might just find one in Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapie, with the 23-year-old understood by Spanish sources to be the Premier League champions’ favourite now that Huijsen’s out of reach.

The defender still has four years left on his current deal and is a player of significant potential, with Chelsea quoted at £59m when asking about the Ecuadorian’s availability back in January.

What Piero Hincapie would bring to Liverpool

Hincapie has made 164 appearances for Bayer Leverkusen, scoring seven goals, assisting five more, winning an invincible domestic double last season.

Described as a “prodigy” by journalist Jose de Jesus Ortiz two years ago, Hincapie has made incremental progress in Germany, signing from Argentine club CA Talleres as a 19-year-old in 2021.

24/25

45

3

2

1x

23/24

43

1

1

2x

22/23

43

1

1

0x

21/22

33

2

1

0x

With Van Dijk set to stay for the next couple of seasons, Hincapie could make a shrewd career move by moving to Merseyside and serving as the defensive great’s understudy before ascending to superstardom himself.

He certainly has the attributes to make his mark. As per FBref, the 6 footer ranks among the top 15% of centre-backs across Europe’s top five leagues this season for goal involvements, the top 16% for passes attempted and shot-creating actions, the top 17% for progressive passes and the top 4% for progressive carries per 90.

As you can see, he’s got the skill and gifted approach to make a real difference in Slot’s squad, capable even of becoming an even better player than Huijsen.

Also hailed as an “absolute beast” who “can become one of the world’s best centre-backs” by journalist Antonio Mango, Hincapie might have even outperformed Bournemouth’s star defender this term.

Matches (starts)

30 (25)

32 (28)

Goals

3

2

Assists

1

2

Touches*

64.4

78.5

Pass completion

84%

89%

Key passes*

0.5

0.5

Ball recoveries*

3.4

3.1

Tackles + interceptions*

2.9

2.6

Clearances*

6.0

3.3

Duels (won)*

3.8 (57%)

5.2 (62%)

Left-footed, he’d also be a suitable successor for skipper Van Dijk, who has renewed his Liverpool contract by two years but turns 34 this summer.

There’s indeed a case to be made that Hincapie is playing at a superior level to Huijsen right now. That’s not to discredit Los Blancos’ new recruit, who already coats himself with the trappings of something special, world-class, but rather, highlights the quality of Leverkusen’s rising star, whose dynamism and athleticism have even permitted him to play on the left flank 11 times this term.

Hincapie is more active in the duel and more accurate too, with several years more experience that have tuned his completeness to a degree that would see him thrive alongside Van Dijk before finally taking his place.

If Liverpool are able to engineer a deal for a figure not too far north of Huijsen’s £50m release clause, something they were willing to meet, this could prove to be an exceptional deal for the Reds.

Having proven himself and then some as one of the best young defenders in the game, Hincapie could veritably explode under Slot’s wing in the Premier League.

He'd be incredible with Kerkez: FSG want to sign £50m "tank" for Liverpool

Liverpool are looking to make sweeping changes in the summer transfer market.

ByAngus Sinclair May 19, 2025