Chelsea are targeting attackers right now, but that does not mean the club have forgotten about their defence.
Liam Delap has already joined Chelsea to give Enzo Maresca another option up front, while another former Manchester City youth player could also be on his way to west London.
It has been claimed that Chelsea are still hopeful of signing Jamie Gittens after failing to land him in the transfer window just before the start of the Club World Cup.
Once that situation is resolved, the Blues could turn their attention to strengthening the team’s defence.
Piero Hincapie of Ecuador warms up prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier match between Peru and Ecuador
Photo by Carlos Sipan/gencia Press South/Getty Images
Chelsea can sign Bayer Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapie for £51m
One defender whom Chelsea could look to bring in this summer is Bayer Leverkusen star Piero Hincapie.
It is thought that Chelsea scouted Hincapie last year, and the centre-back now appears to be one potential target for them.
According to CaughtOffside, the Blues have Hincapie on their shortlist and have the possibility of signing him for €60m (£51m) because of a release clause in his contract.
A move to Stamford Bridge would see the 23-year-old link up with Moises Caicedo. Caicedo is Hincapie’s international teammate, with both men having the privilege of representing Ecuador’s senior team.
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If the Conference League winners cannot sign Hincapie for whatever reason or cool their interest in him, they have other options. For example, Chelsea are said to be interested in Ousmane Diomande of Sporting Lisbon as well.
Patrik Schick of Bayer Leverkusen celebrates goal with Piero Hincapie, Granit Xhaka and Edmond Tapsoba
Photo by Jürgen Fromme – firo sportphoto/Getty Images
One person who knows Hincapie extremely well is Miguel Angel Ramirez, who was head of Independiente’s academy when the Ecuadorian was there.
Ramirez is a huge fan of Hincapie, telling The Athletic in 2023 that the Leverkusen man is “one of the most valuable centre-backs on the market”.
On Hincapie, he said: “Piero is extremely quick, technically sound and tactically intelligent. It’s no surprise that he’s one of the most valuable centre-backs on the market. I think he is cut out to play for one of the biggest clubs.”
Until Hincapie or another centre-half is brought in — that is if Chelsea actually decide to sign one — Maresca will have to continue with the likes of Levi Colwill, Trevoh Chalobah and Tosin Adarabioyo.