Marina Granovskaia Could Still Help Chelsea Sign Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly

Former Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia could still play a crucial role in transfer for Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly, according to reports.

Following the takeover by Todd Boehly at Chelsea, Gravonskaia departed from her role as a director at Stamford Bridge.

However, a statement was made at the time of her departure confirming that she would still be available to the ownership until the end of the summer transfer window.

This means that she could still very much help Chelsea if they are to make a move for Senegalese defender Koulibaly who has been rumoured to be leaving Napoli this summer.

Kalidou Koulibaly in action against Legia Warsaw. (Alamy)

The Blues have already lost the services of Antonio Rudiger to Real Madrid on a free transfer and Andreas Christensen’s move to Barcelona is all but done, there are spaces to fill at the back. 

Returning loanee from Huddersfield Town, Levi Colwill, is a defender who wants to fight for a place in London, but with his future set to be decided soon it has been confirmed by Fabrizio Romano that Chelsea will sign two centre-backs this summer.

Juventus’ Matthijs de Ligt is leading the race and has become Chelsea’s number one priority at the back.

Meanwhile, Koulibaly finds himself in the company of long-term target Jules Kounde and Nathan Ake as to who else the Blues go after.

It is reported by Calciomercato that Granovskaia has ‘strong relationships’ with Napoli and Koulibaly’s agent Fali Ramadani which may help enable Chelsea to get a major deal done for the centre-back.

Ramadani is currently understood to be in London so he can talk to potential suitors for Koulibaly.

Chelsea are not alone in their pursuit of the defender, with Juventus also rumoured to be hopeful of a move.

However, Napoli want to avoid selling to a rival and would much prefer to see the player make a move overseas. 

While Koulibaly may not be the first choice option for the Blues, he is said to be on their radar as a potential signing. 

Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Everton. (Alamy)

With just 12 months remaining on his contract, Napoli could look to pen him to a new deal, or cash in this summer.

Ramadani has already ‘established relations’ with Granovskaia and the former director also has a ‘personal relationship’ with Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis.

The door is open for negotiation this summer.

The deal could well end up being the final bit of business that Granovskaia completes for Chelsea before she fully departs at the end of the transfer window.