Liverpool transfers: Calafiori and Hincapie interest assessed amid centre back chase

Liverpool are reported to be in the market for a central defender this summer with Leny Yoro named among potential arrivals. 

The 18-year-old has a clear preference to join Real Madrid but the Reds are ready to pick up the pieces should the 15-time European champions fail to agree a deal with Lille. 

Beyond Yoro, plenty of other names have been linked and the Anfield side could be forced to move to either Plan B or Plan C if they do not manage to get Yoro. 

With Joel Matip out of contract and long-term uncertainty surrounding Virgil van Dijk, the Merseysiders require central defensive reinforcements. 

Players like Willian Pacho and Goncalo Inacio are among those mentioned and this week the Feyenoord defender David Hancko revealed he had spoken with new Liverpool head coach Arne Slot. 

However, the Slovakian disclosed that he believed Liverpool bosses Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards were NOT in the market for a player in his position. 

Nonetheless, two other defenders have been linked. 

Liverpool not in for Calafiori or Hincapie

Piero Hincapie, a double winner in Germany with Bayer Leverkusen, is a reported long-term target. 

Riccardo Calafiori, meanwhile, has been assessed by Liverpool’s transfer team, according to a report in the Athletic, but the Italian looks set to move elsewhere. 

This week it’s emerged that Arsenal are close to agreeing a deal with Bologna for the Italy Euro 2024 star with the recently-qualified Champions League side seeking a fee of around €50m. 

And renowned transfer journalist Ben Jacobs has now weighed into Liverpool’s centre-back plot, revealing to GIVEMESPORT that the trail has gone cold on both Hincapie and Calafiori.

"My understanding is that Liverpool are not actively in the race for him at this stage, we've heard links with several Premier League clubs, but Liverpool sources downplay the links that are being made between Calafiori and them, so it appears that they have other targets that they are working on,” he said. 

"That's the same also for Piero Hincapie as well, who is constantly being linked with Liverpool. But again, there's denials from sources close to Liverpool that he's a target they're looking to pursue, either."