Sources: Chelsea now made aware £59m player they love could be signed this month, Tottenham also keen

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Chelsea are yet to make a new signing in this winter transfer window – but could be busy as we approach the February 3rd transfer deadline.

Enzo Maresca spent around £200m on transfers last summer after replacing Mauricio Pochettino – but the Italian still has a few gaps in his squad as he aims to lift Chelsea higher than fourth in the Premier League.

One area in need of a new face at the moment is the central midfield department, hence why Chelsea have asked about signing Douglas Luiz from Juventus during discussions to offload Renato Veiga to the Serie A giants.

Chelsea could also use a marquee arrival in the centre of defence, where Maresca was so unhappy with his options, he recalled Trevoh Chalobah from Crystal Palace.

Now – to progress a story from BILD in Germany – TBR Football have been told some information about Chelsea and Bayer Leverkusen No.3 Piero Hincapie.

Chelsea told Piero Hincapie could be obtainable

Graeme Bailey – Chief Correspondent at TBR Football – has now been told that Chelsea believe the aforementioned Veiga no longer wants to spend his future at Stamford Bridge.

As such, succession plans are being made to find the Portugal international’s replacement, and Chelsea have been told that Hincapie might be an option before the February 3rd transfer deadline.

We understand Chelsea have admired the Ecuador international for years, and actually enquired about the South American before spending £12m to sign Veiga from Basel in July.

TBR Football have also been told Chelsea watched Hincapie star for Bayer Leverkusen in a 1-0 UEFA Champions League win against AC Milan back in October.

The man born in Esmeraldas can play at left-back or centre-back like Veiga, with Chelsea highly appreciative of his versatility.

Bayer Leverkusen are believed to value Hincapie at €70m (£59m).

Sources add that Tottenham are also keen to sign the 23-year-old, although the asking price is a problem for Spurs, and Bayer Leverkusen would not consider a loan exit.

TBR Football also understand Liverpool like Hincapie – but the Reds are not expected to make a move this winter.

What Xabi Alonso has said about Piero Hincapie

By all accounts, Hincapie is a superstar in the making.

Xabi Alonso – who manages the Ecuadorian at Bayer Leverkusen – has said: “I think he's a very modern defender. He can play in different positions. He's served us as a full-back, but has also been the left centre-back when we've played with a back three.

“He's aggressive, is making better decisions when he has the ball, backs himself more to play diagonal passes and get in behind. It motivates me to have a player with his potential and desire because he helps you and you help him. He’s a great player.”

Maresca also tends to switch to a back three at times, so Hincapie could be the perfect defender for the Italian.