Real Madrid Makes Move for Xabi Alonso's Top Target at Bayer Leverkusen
Real Madrid have allegedly been presented with an opportunity to acquire Bayer Leverkusen's Piero Hincapié as they continue their defensive restructuring under new manager Xabi Alonso.
Following a quiet winter transfer period with no signings, Real Madrid became active in the summer market. The club invested €178 million ($206.3 million) to bring in Dean Huijsen, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Franco Mastantuono and Álvaro Carreras to Madrid.
Three of these four acquisitions addressed crucial defensive needs. During the 2024–25 campaign, Real Madrid allowed 84 goals in all competitions, matching the club's all-time record for most goals conceded in a single season.
The recruitment of a new left-back, center-back and right-back strengthens Los Blancos' defense, which relied heavily on natural midfielders Fede Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni in defensive roles throughout much of the previous season. Nevertheless, Real Madrid may still seek additional defensive depth, particularly if Alonso intends to consistently deploy a three-man defense.
Per ESPN reports, Hincapié has been proposed to Real Madrid. The Ecuadorian defender has been "presented" to the Spanish giants, providing Alonso with another young, adaptable defensive option for his new team.
Naturally, Alonso is familiar with Hincapié's abilities. Since the Spanish coach assumed control of Bayer Leverkusen in October 2022, Hincapié became a cornerstone of his defensive setup. The 23-year-old was instrumental in the German club's remarkable 2023–24 season that culminated in their maiden Bundesliga championship.
Overall, Hincapié has featured in 164 matches since arriving at Bayer Leverkusen before the 2021–22 season. He recently committed to a contract extension until 2029, meaning Real Madrid would likely need to pay a substantial transfer fee to secure his services.
Hincapié would contribute valuable experience operating in Alonso's three-man defensive system, expertise that current Real Madrid defenders lack. Huijsen, Tchouaméni and Antonio Rüdiger experimented with this formation during the FIFA Club World Cup, but the French midfielder will eventually return to his preferred midfield position, creating a gap in Alonso's defense.
Raúl Asencio appeared to be the natural replacement, but he struggled significantly during the Club World Cup.
Éder Militão represents another possibility, but the Brazilian's playing time will be carefully monitored early next season following two ACL injuries in consecutive years.
David Alaba remains an alternative, but the Austrian faces his own fitness concerns, plus a track record of underwhelming displays during Carlo Ancelotti's final season as manager.
If Alonso plans to begin the 2025–26 season with a three-defender formation featuring natural center-backs, then acquiring Hincapié (or another central defender) becomes essential.