Report: Granovskaia could help Chelsea sign Spurs target, his agent is in London 

Photo by Marco Canoniero/LightRocket via Getty Images The prospect of Tottenham Hotspur-linked Kalidou Koulibaly joining Chelsea is looking relatively probable. Sky Italia reported on Wednesday that Chelsea had made contact about signing the powerful Napoli centre-back. Tottenham are in the market for a central defender and Sport in Spain reported last month that Antonio Conte and Fabio Paratici were in the race to sign him. However, it’s looking like Chelsea who are leading the race – and they have an advantage. Blues’ director Marina Granovskaia, who will leave West London at the end of the transfer window, has a good working relationship with Koulibaly’s agent Fali Ramadani, according to Calciomercato. Why Pogba Will FLOP At Juventus BridTV 10686 Why Pogba Will FLOP At Juventus 1043561 1043561 center 13872 The report adds that Ramadani is based in London and that his connection to the Chelsea figure ‘may affect the negotiation’. It’s vitally important Tottenham sign a centre-back, even if the advantage appears to lie with Chelsea for Koulibaly at the moment. As good as Paratici has done for the Lilywhites this summer, none of their recruits – Ivan Perisic, Fraser Forster, Yves Bissouma – have been defenders. The North Londoners conceded a lot of cheap goals last season, even after Conte took the reins and that’s why the legendary Italian manager will be so determined to bolster up the defence. A lot of players have been linked, like Alessandro Bastoni and Gleison Bremer, but there isn’t much positive speculation regarding either of those two right now and the same, you have to say, is also true of Koulibaly with regards to Tottenham’s interest. Photo by Fabrizio Carabelli/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images In other news, ‘Tottenham are in for him’: Journalist says scouts think 25-year-old is even better than Bastoni

Koulibaly’s agent holds Chelsea talks in London – report 

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Chelsea move for Kalidou Koulibaly makes more sense than £100m Matthijs de Ligt transfer 

© (Photo by Marco Canoniero/LightRocket via Getty Images) Kalidou Koulibaly of Ssc Napoli looks on during the Serie A match between Torino Fc and Ssc Napoli. Ssc Napoli wins 1-0 over Torino Fc. Chelsea have been linked with both Matthijs de Ligt and Kaliou Koulibaly in this summer’s transfer window. Whilst both options are considered to be enough to fill the void left by Antonio Rudiger in the left centre-back position, it is likely that the Blues will opt for just one. Chelsea are also linked with a move for Sevilla’s Jules Kounde who will occupy the right-sided end of the centre-back pairing. Despite handing in a transfer request amid Chelsea’s interest in him, a move for de Ligt has not been a walk in the park. Juventus value the 22-year-old at more than £100million as per his release clause. Finances have historically not been much of an issue for the Blues in the Roman Abramovich era but with their new, data-savvy owner Todd Boehly, we are yet to see how far he is willing to go. Spending £100million on a defender is probably on the extreme end of valuations. For a 22-year-old, it would be an expensive gamble for Boehly. A price of £40million for a vastly experienced, skilled and powerful defender is a much more attainable option - and one of those just might be available. READ MORE: Chelsea table Nathan Ake transfer proposal as 'impossible' Matthijs de Ligt claim made Chelsea are looking into a possible move for Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly.

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