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<p>Could there be a third raid on Portugal?</p>
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<img alt="Chelsea to sign Levi Colwill replacement? Five centre-back options for €50m or less" src="https://tmssl.akamaized.net//images/foto/galerie/levi-colwill-chelsea-2025-1752443604-172264.jpg" title="Chelsea to sign Levi Colwill replacement? Five centre-back options for €50m or less">
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<p><span>©IMAGO</span></p>
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<p>Chelsea has had an impressive summer, both in the transfer market and on the field, highlighted by their Club World Cup victory. However, they face a setback with the loss of Levi Colwill, a vital player for Enzo Maresca's squad. The 23-year-old defender sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during training, which will sideline him for most of the 2025-26 Premier League season, likely keeping him out for around nine months as he begins his recovery. This is a significant blow for the west London club, as Colwill played the most minutes of any defender in the 2024-25 campaign.</p>
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<img alt="Levi Colwill profile" height="629" src="https://tmssl.akamaized.net//images/foto/newsansicht/levi-colwill-chelsea-1754997222-174639.png?lm=1754997239" title="Levi Colwill profile" width="503">
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<p>Blues manager Maresca has a variety of centre-back options, including new €44.2 million acquisition Jorrel Hato and Benoit Badiashile. However, he has expressed a desire to bring in another defender to replace Colwill. "It’s a priority for me, yes, because Levi is a fantastic player," Maresca told Channel 5. "What we achieved last season is partly due to him. I will definitely miss him, and we are exploring other options as well."</p>
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<p>With the modern transfer market valuing centre-backs highly, and given Maresca's preference for players adept at playing out from the back, finding the right fit will be crucial. Chelsea has already invested €280m in transfers this summer, so keeping an eye on finances is essential. In light of this, <em>Transfermarkt</em> has highlighted five potential centre-backs available for under €50m who could be suitable for the club.</p>
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<img alt="Chelsea defenders: Most minutes played" height="629" src="https://tmssl.akamaized.net//images/foto/newsansicht/chelsea-defenders-most-minutes-1754996989-174638.png?lm=1754997052" title="Chelsea defenders: Most minutes played" width="503">
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<h2>Piero Hincapié</h2>
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<p>Piero Hincapié was part of Bayer 04 Leverkusen's extraordinary 'Invincibles' who won the Bundesliga title without losing a match. However, with the departures of key players like Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, and Granit Xhaka, Leverkusen seems to be in a transition phase, which may lead the 23-year-old to consider his future elsewhere. A robust defender known for his athleticism and speed, the left-footed centre-back would be an excellent fit to replace Colwill. Yet, Leverkusen is financially sound and unlikely to sell him cheaply.</p>
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<h2>Ousmane Diomande</h2>
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<p>Given Chelsea's strong ties with Sporting, where they recently acquired Geovany Quenda and Dario Essugo for a combined €74.4m, it’s not surprising that Ousmane Diomande is on their radar. The 21-year-old has been linked with Chelsea before, and with Crystal Palace also reportedly interested, he possesses great aerial strength and ball-handling skills that align well with Maresca's tactics. If the Blues pursue a new centre-back, Diomande is likely to feature prominently on their shortlist.</p>
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<h2>Castello Lukeba</h2>
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<p>Castello Lukeba has been attracting attention from various European clubs after making a significant impact since joining RB Leipzig from Lyon two years ago. Chelsea's co-sporting director, Laurence Stewart, has a history of acquiring young French talent, having previously signed Benoit Badiashile, Malo Gusto, and Lesley Ugochukwu. Lukeba could certainly be next, although Leipzig has a reputation for resisting Chelsea's advances, as seen in their past refusals to sell Josko Gvardiol and Xavi Simons. Nevertheless, the allure of Champions League football could persuade Lukeba to make the leap.</p>
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<h2>Giorgio Scalvini</h2>
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<p>Giorgio Scalvini, a target for both Newcastle and Chelsea, represents a savvy investment for both immediate and future needs. With eight caps for Italy, his versatility as a centre-back and makeshift left-back aligns perfectly with Maresca's system. Standing at 6ft 4in, he showcases the physical attributes needed to smoothly transition to the Premier League. However, Atalanta BC has made it clear that they are not open to selling him, meaning Chelsea may have to spend significantly to secure the talented 21-year-old.</p>
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<h2>António Silva</h2>
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<p>There’s no better opportunity to impress a potential new club than performing well against them, which is exactly what António Silva did during the Club World Cup when Chelsea defeated Benfica 4-1 after extra time. Silva's commanding presence in the defense, coupled with his clearance off the line to deny Marc Cucurella, didn’t go unnoticed by Chelsea scouts. His teammate, Tomas Araujo, is also mentioned in connection with a potential move. However, Benfica's hesitance to negotiate with Chelsea after the Enzo Fernandez saga could complicate any potential deal, possibly requiring Chelsea to pay a premium for the 21-year-old defender if they pursue him.</p>
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