Spurs could land their Ben White with exciting late swoop for £50M beast ace
Tottenham Hotspur is gearing up to start their Premier League season with a challenging away fixture against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium. As Spurs embark on this new campaign, there are significant developments both on and off the pitch, including potential transfers that could bolster the squad further.
One of the most notable pre-match talking points is the imminent departure of midfielder Oliver Skipp, who is set to join Leicester City in a £25 million deal. However, even if this transfer is finalized before the match, Skipp will not be available to play against his soon-to-be former club.
Meanwhile, Tottenham’s summer transfer activity has seen several new additions to the squad, including Lucas Bergvall, Archie Gray, Wilson Odobert, and Dominic Solanke. These players are expected to make their debuts under manager Ange Postecoglou, bringing fresh energy and skill to the team. Although Bergvall was signed back in February, this will be his first opportunity to feature in a Premier League match.
Despite these new arrivals, Spurs are reportedly still in the market for additional reinforcements, particularly in defense. The club has been linked with several high-profile defenders, with Bayer Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapié emerging as a top target.
According to reports from Studio Futbol, Tottenham Hotspur is one of several clubs interested in signing Bayer Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapié. The 22-year-old Ecuadorian international has also attracted interest from European giants such as Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, and Liverpool.
Hincapié has been a key figure for Leverkusen, especially under the management of Xabi Alonso, who led the team to an impressive unbeaten Bundesliga season last term. Alonso is reportedly keen to keep Hincapié in Germany, recognizing his importance to the squad.
However, the lure of the Premier League and the opportunity to play for a club like Tottenham could be tempting for the young defender. It has been suggested that a fee of around £50 million would be required to secure Hincapié’s services, a significant investment that could pay off handsomely for Spurs.
If Tottenham successfully lands Hincapié, the young defender could serve as Postecoglou’s own version of Arsenal’s Ben White. Although they operate on opposite sides of the pitch, both players share similar traits as central defenders who have been converted into full-backs capable of inverting centrally to form a back three.
To understand the potential impact of Hincapié, it’s helpful to compare his recent performance statistics with those of Ben White:
| Statistic | Hincapié (Bundesliga) | White (Premier League) |
|---|---|---|
| Appearances | 26 | 37 |
| Pass Accuracy | 92% | 87% |
| Tackles + Interceptions | 1.8 per game | 2.2 per game |
| Ball Recoveries | 3.0 per game | 3.2 per game |
| Ground Duel Success Rate | 62% | 50% |
| Aerial Duel Success Rate | 57% | 62% |
Stats via Sofascore
As seen in the table above, both Hincapié and White are adept at maintaining possession and winning defensive duels. Hincapié’s superior pass accuracy and ground duel success rate highlight his technical proficiency and physical presence on the field.
Additionally, Hincapié has demonstrated his ability to contribute offensively, averaging 5.11 progressive passes and 2.10 progressive carries per 90 minutes over the last year. In comparison, White has averaged 5.82 progressive passes and 1.15 progressive carries per 90 minutes during the same period.
Hincapié’s impressive stats place him within the top 1% of his positional peers for progressive carries and the top 15% for progressive passes, underscoring his ability to advance the ball and support his team’s attack.
Given these attributes, Hincapié could be a valuable addition to Tottenham’s defense, offering versatility and a progressive option across the back four. His ability to play as a left-back or center-back would provide Postecoglou with tactical flexibility, especially as competition for spots intensifies with players like Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie.
In conclusion, Tottenham’s pursuit of Piero Hincapié could signal a strategic move to strengthen their defense ahead of a challenging Premier League campaign. As Spurs continue to navigate the transfer market, fans will be eager to see how these potential new signings impact the team’s performance in the months ahead.
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