Chelsea eye ex-Liverpool transfer chief Michael Edwards as new sporting director after Marina Granovskaia exit

Chelsea have identified former Liverpool transfer guru Michael Edwards as an option to become their new sporting director.

But new owner Todd Boehly would need to make a strong case to persuade Edwards to go back on his commitment to take a break from football.

Edwards played a key role in Liverpool’s recent success in the transfer market but stood down at the end of last season to spend more time with his family.

The 43-year-old enjoyed remarkable success during 10 years at Anfield and was at the centre of rebuilding the club into European and then Premier League champions.

His decade on Merseyside saw the appointment of Jurgen Klopp as manager and the recruitment of players like Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Sadio Mane and Andy Robertson.

Chelsea are searching for a new sporting director after confirming that Marina Granovskaia has left her post as the club embarks on a new direction.

Granovskaia has followed chairman Bruce Buck out of Chelsea, with Boehly taking over transfer responsibilities until a full-time sporting director is appointed.

Manchester United are also said to be keen on bringing in Edwards to improve recruitment at Old Trafford. It remains to be seen if he would consider joining Chelsea, however.

When his departure from Liverpool was announced last November, he said: “I had always planned to cap my time at the club to a max of 10 years.

“I have loved working here, but I am a big believer in change. I think it is good for the individual and, in a work setting, good for the employer too.”

Edwards moved from Tottenham to become head of performance and analysis at Liverpool in 2011. He played a key role in the hiring of Klopp as manager in 2015 during his time as technical director before overseeing the low-budget recruitment of Salah, Mane, Robertson and others following his promotion to sporting director in 2016.

Liverpool said Edwards and his team played “a pivotal role” in helping the club enjoy success on the pitch.