Chelsea ‘Set to Consider Bid’ for Hincapie After Maresca Decision

Chelsea are on course to weigh up making a late attempt to recruit Bayer Leverkusen star Piero Hincapie as head coach Enzo Maresca is still giving indications that he wants to make improvements to his Stamford Bridge defensive options ahead of the transfer window slamming shut, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.

The Blues have not been afraid to splash the cash during the summer, with Joao Pedro being the most expensive addition to the squad thanks to sealing a switch worth up to £60million from Brighton & Hove Albion, but there is still time to welcome further fresh faces to west London.

Having got their hands on the Club World Cup trophy last month, which has led to there being estimates of banking £85million due to winning the competition, Chelsea are continuing to assess the market and have refused to rule out completing additional business before the fast-approaching September 1 deadline.

Blues Poised to Contemplate Hincapie Swoop

Chelsea are set to consider lodging a bid for Hincapie, according to GMS sources, but they are in danger of facing an uphill battle to acquire his services as Bundesliga heavyweights Bayer Leverkusen have no intention of sanctioning his departure after the likes of Jonathan Tah, Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong have left since the end of last term.

The central defender has been described as a ‘warrior’ by agent Manuel Sierra and, should he embark on a fresh challenge at Stamford Bridge, he would join Jorrel Hato and Mamadou Sarr in being additions to the backline since the transfer window reopened for business during the summer.

GMS sources have been informed that Hincapie is on Chelsea’s radar, having enjoyed a productive 2024/25 campaign, and fellow admirers Tottenham Hotspur have discovered during their checks that they are in danger of facing competition from Maresca for an agreement in the coming days.

The Ecuador international has a release clause worth in the region of £52million written into his Bayer Leverkusen contract, meaning that the Blues and Spurs have an opportunity to leave his current employers helpless, but they are running out of time to thrash out negotiations if they choose to up the ante.

Chelsea are expected to land a new goalkeeper or centre-back ahead of the deadline, GMS sources have learned, but bolstering their options in the latter position is seen as being more likely at this stage and Maresca is poised to make a final decision on whether to re-enter the market.

Maresca Has Shown Interest in Hincapie Deal

GMS sources have been told that Chelsea are interested in Hincapie and there is a possibility that he will be the subject of an offer as, if they opt to go down the route of bringing in a new shot-stopper instead of an additional backline presence, they will have to offload one of their current goalkeepers when there is not an obvious destination.

Atletico Madrid have also been long-term suitors of the 23-year-old, meaning that there remains potential for him to take his career to La Liga instead of the Premier League, but Bayer Leverkusen are still insistent that he is not on the market and they will do all they can to keep him on board.

Chelsea’s late pursuit of Hincapie is a complex situation, GMS sources understand, but Maresca is eager to strengthen the defence in the aftermath of getting their domestic campaign underway with a goalless stalemate against London neighbours Crystal Palace last weekend.

GMS sources recently revealed that the Blues have agreed personal terms with Alejandro Garnacho ahead of a potential move from Manchester United, highlighting the desire to bring in further creativity in the final third of the pitch, but there may also be reinforcements in other areas.

All statistics courtesy of Sofascore – correct as of 18/08/2025

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