Tottenham are stepping up interest for Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie.

The left-sided centre-back, 21, has attracted interest from a host of elite clubs worldwide after some standout displays for Ecuador in Qatar.

Spurs are exploring a deal for Hincapie but will be unwilling to match Bayer Leverkusen's £80million valuation.

A summer deal would be more likely for a player who is happy at his current club and still learning his trade, says The Sun.

And Hincapie could reportedly be snapped up for £20m this month before being loaned back to Leverkusen until the end of the season, in a deal similar to that of Pape Matar Sarr.