Xabi Alonso steps in as Liverpool and Tottenham 'fight for Bayer Leverkusen star'

Xabi Alonso has reportedly pleaded with Piero Hincapie to stay at Bayer Leverkusen this summer amid interest from Liverpool and Tottenham. The Reds have been linked with the 22-year-old for several years and were said to have seen an approach turned down in January.

Tottenham have also been credited with a desire to land Hincapie with Ange Postecoglou eager to strengthen his defensive ranks. Both clubs are 'very interested' in snapping him up, according to Studio Futbol, with Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich also said to be in the race.

It is said that Alonso has spoken directly with Hincapie to ask him to stay at Leverkusen for at least one more season. The Spaniard reportedly believes it would improve their chances of retaining their Bundesliga title and competing strongly in the Champions League.

Hincapie is usually deployed as a centre-back but is more than capable of filling in on the left side of the pitch when required. He made 43 appearances for Leverkusen in all competitions last season and played a significant role in helping them to become German champions.

The versatile defender remains tied down until the summer of 2027, meaning Leverkusen are under no pressure to sell him before the transfer window slams shut.

Hincapie was previously singled out for high praise by Alonso, who said last March: "I think he’s a very modern defender, he can play in different positions. He’s served us as a full-back in recent games but has also been the left centre-back when we’ve played with a back three.

"He’s aggressive, is making better decisions when he has the ball, backs himself more to play diagonal passes and get in behind. It motivates me to have a player with his potential and desire because he helps you and you help him. He's a great player."

Liverpool are yet to make any summer signings with the Reds biding their time in the transfer market ahead of the new campaign. Arne Slot has regularly insisted that he is not worried about the club's lack of business, instead preferring to focus on the players already in the building.

Tottenham, meanwhile, have spent over £123million on several new players including the likes of Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall and Dominic Solanke. They confirmed their latest signing on Friday morning, with the north Londoners splashing around £25m to land Wilson Odobert from Burnley.