With the opening two weeks of the transfer window now over, Todd Boehly will be under little illusion of the size of the task he needs to complete in the forthcoming months. The Chelsea co-owner is set to be both the club's Chairman and Sporting Director in one of the more demanding periods where Thomas Tuchel's squad demands a rebuild.
Boehly will be able to call upon Granovskaia's help to aid the transition of positions following the new board being named and the former Chelsea director departing. However, the LA Dodgers owner appears to have already negotiated Romelu Lukaku's return to Inter Milan, an impressive feat for his first foray into European football.
The 48-year-old Boehly has already been provided with a deadline to try and persuade Raheem Sterling to move to Stamford Bridge, but that could be the least of his challenges over the next two months. The Man City winger is looking to resolve his future himself in his attempt to find first-team football.
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While the England international is yet to entirely rule out staying at the Etihad Stadium, it provides a fairly straightforward situation. That will not be true of all situations, including that of Matthijs de Ligt. football.london understands the Dutch defender is a target for the Blues, and that interest has intensified in recent days.
The 22-year-old's representatives are in talks with Juventus over his future. The Old Lady are hoping to extend de Ligt's deal, which is currently set to expire in 2024 and includes a release clause in excess of £100 million. It is suggested the Blues would be willing to pay in the region of £60 million. The latter figure is one which de Ligt hopes to see his release clause in any new deal.
Rafaela Pimenta is the former Ajax star's agent following the passing of Mina Raiola, and while Juventus' Maurizio Arrivabene wants negotiations resolved quickly with the club's star, talks between the parties appear to have stalled.
Pimenta offers a good insight into the figures that Boehly will have to contend with and negotiate within the coming months. The Athletic suggest sources describe the agent as 'the most powerful woman in football' and the 'toughest negotiator in football' after she took the lead at One agency.
The Brazilian lawyer was involved in the finer details of Erling Haaland's move to Manchester City, is close to Paul Pogba and is a key contact with the prospect of his return to Serie A. However, Pimenta is unafraid to work with local experts to ensure the best opportunities in any dealings.
In some respects, the agent could prove a handy ally as Boehly tries to prise de Ligt away from Juventus before proving a staunch negotiator in any contract dealings that follow. However, the American will also have carefully assess to what extent the Blues may be used to strengthen de Ligt's position with respect to his Juventus discussions. Chelsea cannot afford to be locked in lengthy negotiations for a player this summer, and such is the need to replenish the defence.
Reports suggest de Ligt is Tuchel's main target. Whether Boehly can successfully land the young centre-back or navigate away from a deal that proves too expensive, it will prove a crucial transfer for the new owner to prove his credentials to both Tuchel and the rest of Chelsea's stakeholders.
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