Tottenham transfer news: Top centre-back target to cost £50m as fresh development dampens optimism

Tottenham Hotspur have learned that they will have to pay £50million or more to get their hands on one of their main defensive targets, according to the latest transfer news.

Strengthening at centre-back is something Tottenham will be trying to do in the summer. They currently have the likes of Cristian Romero, Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez, Clement Lenglet, Ben Davies and Japhet Tanganga in the position.

However, Lenglet is only on loan from Barcelona, while Sanchez and Tanganga could also be facing uncertain futures. Moreover, Davies is naturally a full-back. Therefore, Spurs are on the lookout for potential upgrades.

Plenty of recent Tottenham transfer news has named Piero Hincapie as someone who they are looking at. Currently with Bayer Leverkusen, his prominence increased when he represented Ecuador at the World Cup.

Tottenham are now one of the main contenders for Hincapie, who could be made available by his current club in the summer after an indifferent season collectively.

But just as that update raised their hopes, Tottenham have been brought back down to earth by finding out that Hincapie will still cost £50m or more, according to a report by Football Insider.

Hincapie has signed a new contract with Bayer Leverkusen this weekend, which will last until 2027. As a result, the German club are in a stronger position to negotiate his value.

Now, they believe he is worth £50m. It is a figure which represents the progress he has been making and how much further he could go in the game.

Tottenham transfer news: Hincapie explains Bayer Leverkusen decision

Consequently, it won’t be easy for Tottenham to sign him in the summer. Other suitors like Newcastle will also have to adjust their plans of how highly to bid for the 21-year-old.

But for the time being, Hincapie seems to be comfortable in his current surroundings. After signing his contract extension, he said: “For me, Bayer is exactly the right club.

“I was able to establish myself here and also consolidate my position in the national team. It’s a huge motivation for me to confirm my achievements in the coming years.”

As a left-footed centre-back, Hincapie would be an ideal long-term successor to Lenglet for Tottenham. However, it now looks harder for them to be able to sign him in the summer.

Perhaps they could still come up with a tempting offer, or wait to make another approach in the future. But as things stand, Hincapie will be focusing on adding to his 56 appearances for Bayer Leverkusen.

Of those appearances, 23 have come this season, during which Hincapie has been enhancing his game either as a centre-half or as a left-back.

His potential and versatility could lead him to the Premier League one day. At this rate, any move would most likely be to one of its most competitive clubs. But he is committed to the cause in the Bundesliga at this moment in time, even though his current side risk missing out on European qualification.

READ MORE: Tottenham given choice of two excellent Premier League signings as second target makes transfer hint