Chelsea could be set to undergo its biggest transformation since the beginning of the century.
Following Russia’s decision to invade the Ukraine last week, billionaire Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is now under mounting pressure to sell the London-based club or risk facing devastating financial sanctions.
The Russian oligarch, who is worth over a staggering £9bn (Forbes), is understood to have close connections to President Vladimir Putin and with tensions rising in the Ukraine, Abramovich could now look to offload UK-based assets, including Chelsea Football Club.
Swiss billionaire business tycoon Horsjerb Wyss recently announced that he has already been offered the chance to buy Abramovich out.
“Abramovich is trying to sell all his villas in England, he also wants to get rid of Chelsea quickly,” Wyss told Swiss newspaper Blick (as quoted by Sky Sports).
“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 £2billion. But Chelsea has no money. 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.”
Adding to the quickly developing story, the latest comes from the Daily Mail, who claims Abramovich is demanding at least £3bn for Chelsea – a valuation that, if successful, would see the sale of Chelsea top the world’s most expensive football club deals, ever – beating the Glazer family’s acquitition of Manchester United (£731m) in 2005 by over £2bn, as per Knelnow.
Abramovich took charge of the Blues in 2003 and has since invested over £1bn into the club (Sky Sports), helping the side to lift 21 major trophies, including five Premier League titles, as well as the 2011-12 and 2020-21 Champions League.
