According to reports in Argentina, Lazio are close to securing Club Atletico Talleres centre-back Piero Hincapié.
The 19-year-old already has three senior caps under his belt for Ecuador and can play as a left-back, but is primarily a central defender.
Tall and powerful, he moved to Talleres from Independiente in August 2020.
Talleres President Andres Fassi had already told El Desmarque that they were in advanced negotiations with an Italian club, but did not specify which one.
Now the same media and Sportitalia report that it’s Lazio who have practically secured a deal, beating the likes of Atalanta, Roma, Bayern Munich, Celtic, Newcastle United and Real Betis.
He’d be an impressive signing for new Lazio coach Maurizio Sarri, who has to switch predecessor Simone Inzaghi’s 3-5-2 formation to suit his 4-3-3 tactical preferences.
El Desmarque claim that Club Atletico Talleres only own 50 per cent of Hincapié after paying €1m to Independiente del Valle last year.
— Alfredo Pedullà (@AlfredoPedulla) June 27, 2021