Chelsea have reportedly identified two potential alternatives to the injured Levi Colwill.
Despite key figures at Stamford Bridge preferring to avoid entering the transfer market for a new centre-back, head coach Enzo Maresca has suggested that he holds the opposite opinion having likely lost Colwill for the entirety of 2025-26.
When everyone is fit, the West Londoners are not short of options for the middle of their backline, yet there are fitness concerns over the likes of Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile.
Trevoh Chalobah, Tosin Adarabioyo and Josh Acheampong are viewed as the top three in the pecking order ahead of Sunday's Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace.
However, as per CaughtOffside, defenders from Bayer Leverkusen and Benfica are both on Chelsea's radar ahead of the closure of the summer window on September 1.
Piero Hincapie of Bayer Leverkusen during his side's match against Stuttgart, on November 1, 2024
Which defenders are Chelsea targeting?
The report claims that an approach for Leverkusen's Piero Hincapie - a left-sided centre-back who can also play at left-back - has been discussed.
In four years at the BayArena, Hincapie has established himself as one of the best players with that profile, playing 26 times as Leverkusen put together an unbeaten Bundesliga title-winning campaign in 2023-24.
A total of 164 appearances have been made across four seasons, the vast majority coming as part of a back three or four as a centre-back.
As well as the 46-cap Ecuador international, Benfica's Antonio Silva is also said to be interesting Chelsea at this point in time.
Since coming through the academy system at the Portuguese giants, the 21-year-old has made 142 appearances in all competitions, as well as featuring on 17 occasions for Portugal.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag on October 27, 2024
What will the stance of Leverkusen, Benfica be?
Leverkusen head coach Erik ten Hag has already hinted at his frustration at the exodus of key players and he would be aghast if Hincapie left at this stage of the transfer window.
With the 23-year-old having a contract until 2029, the likelihood is that Leverkusen will fend off interest at this point, although it cannot be ignored that Hincapie may be enticed to join compatriots Moises Caicedo and, at a later date, Kendry Paez at Stamford Bridge.
Meanwhile, it is claimed that Benfica may be tempted to cash in on Silva if they receive a bid in the region of €40m (£34.49m).
That is despite Silva still having three years remaining on his contract.
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