Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has reportedly put the club up for sale and has invited potential buyers to make a bid.
In a major development, Daily Telegraph reports that Chelsea’s Russian owner Roman Abramovich is ready to sell the club and has already alerted potential buyers about him being open to bids.
The development comes in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has had far-reaching implications. Abramovich’s alleged close ties with Vladimir Putin have led to calls for him being sanctioned, which forced his hand to relinquish control of Chelsea Football Club last week.
However, soon after, it emerged that the trustees of the foundation were contemplating resigning after the handover. Meanwhile, calls for sanctions on the Russian oligarch have not quietened. It has led to reports claiming that Abramovich is already selling most of his properties in the UK, including his mansion in the Kensington Palace Gardens.
Now, it has emerged that Abramovich is considering selling Chelsea as well and has invited interested parties to make offers for the club. The Russian has previously turned down offers in the range of £2.2 billion and is believed to be wanting more than £4 million.
19 years. 21 trophies. Every major trophy won.
If this is the end, thank you Roman Abramovich. ? pic.twitter.com/EK405yvjEC
— LDN (@LDNFootbalI) March 2, 2022
The report further adds that at least three parties are interested in buying the west London outfit from Abramovich while also claiming that four prospective suitors, including Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss, have been contacted to make offers.
Confirming the approach and further shedding light on the situation, Wyss said, “Like all other oligarchs, he (Abramovich) is also in a panic. Abramovich is trying to sell all his villas in England. He also wants to get rid of Chelsea quickly. I and three other people received an offer on Tuesday to buy Chelsea from Abramovich.”
“I have to wait four to five days now. Abramovich is currently asking far too much. You know, Chelsea owe him £2bn. As of today, we don’t know the exact selling price. I can well imagine starting at Chelsea with partners. But I have to examine the general conditions first. But what I can already say: I’m definitely not doing something like this alone. If I buy Chelsea, then with a consortium consisting of six to seven investors.”
As Wyss mentions, Chelsea are in debt to Abramovich, with the club owing the oligarch a sum of around £1.51 billion. The 55-year-old bought the Blues back in 2003 and helped turn them into one of the most successful clubs in Europe over the past two decades. But, as the geopolitical situation escalates in the continent, the Russian is now ready to part ways with the west London outfit for good.
