Tottenham's search for a new defender could lead them back to defender Piero Hincapie ahead of the January transfer window.

Spurs are looking to spend money in January as they try to deal with the injury to Micky van de Ven and Bayer Leverkusen defender Hincapie is apparently on their list of potential signings.

According to The Mirror, Hincapie has been scouted by Tottenham on numerous occasions over the past 12 months. The Ecuadorian defender has been one of the most consistent performers in the Bundesliga and is widely regarded as a player nailed on to go further in his career.

The German outfit are flying in the Bundesliga and a mid-season sale is not expected to be on the agenda for Leverkusen or their manager, Xabi Alonso.

Piero Hincapie being watched by Tottenham Hincapie, who is still just 21, has been lauded as a 'fabulous' defender in the past and it wasn't too long ago either that he was being linked with a move to Liverpool.

Tottenham's need for a new defender is obvious given Van de Ven's injury. But even before that, there was a sense that Ange Postecoglou wanted more options at the back.

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The performances of Eric Dier and Ben Davies at the weekend did little to encourage Spurs fans and Cristian Romero remains a bit of a walking red card.

Of course, getting Hincapie in January is going to be a tough ask. Rated at around the PS43m mark, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Leverkusen demand even more if they were to consider selling.

However, if Spurs are wanting to be serious about backing Ange and winning things, then players like Hincapie are going to need to be signed.