Chelsea are eyeing up a swoop for a Bundesliga defender in the January transfer window as Graham Potter looks to assert his authority on the squad.

What’s the news?

According to Sky Sports, the Blues are interested in signing Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Piero Hincapie during the upcoming transfer window in order to improve their defensive options.

The Mirror claimed last month that Stamford Bridge scouts had been watching the player during Ecuador’s World Cup campaign, featuring in all three matches in Qatar as the South American side were eliminated at the group stage.

His performances have obviously attracted attention, though, and with his contract not expiring until 2026, Chelsea might be required to splash the cash in order to lure him to London.

The CIES Football Observatory have valued the youngster at €60m (£52.2m), and Chelsea might need to spend even more to sign him.

Potter can unearth his next Koulibaly

The Blues signed Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli in the summer and he has impressed in his nine Premier League matches so far, averaging a Sofascore rating of 7.07/10 while making two tackles, 3.1 clearances and 1.3 interceptions per game, which shows that he has adapted quite well to English football.

Potter is looking to sign a defensive partner for the Senegal international, and Hincapie certainly fits the bill, especially when he is rated the third-most comparable player to the Chelsea star according to FBref’s similar player model.

Indeed, this season has seen the two players register similar statistics when it comes to tackles won (12 to 13, Koulibaly first), interceptions (12 to 11), aerial duels won (60.7% to 51.2%), and pass success rate (84.9% to 82.6%).

Hincapie appears to have all the required attributes to become one of the finest defenders in the world over the next few years, and he would surely learn a lot under Koulibaly's tutelage.

The Ecuadorian was described as “colossal” by Víctor Hernández Molina, while he was also lauded for his “huge personality” by South American analytical site SudanAnalytics, and this high praise should further cement Potter’s need to sign the defender next month.

Chelsea have conceded 17 goals in 14 league matches this season, and if the 47-year-old is serious about claiming a top-four spot and Champions League football next term, then bringing a talent like Hincapie to London could be his ideal first signing.