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LONDON. — It is no longer being denied that Roman Abramovich is preparing to sell Chelsea Football Club after the threat of sanctions forces his hand through his association with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Although Abramovich has yet to be sanctioned by the EU, UK, or United States, and insists that he hasn’t done anything wrong, the oligarch is fearing a potential backlash due to the invasion of Ukraine.
Having previously denied the option of selling, the Blues now refuse to comment.
As well as on the record comment, several sources have told GOAL that they believe Abramovich is preparing a total exit from the UK economy.
Chris Bryant MP, the Labour politician who has led the charge against the Blues’ owner, gave insights into the situation on Tuesday: “Roman Abramovich, well I think he’s terrified of being sanctioned, which is why he’s already going to sell his home tomorrow, and sell another flat as well.
“My anxiety is that we’re taking too long about these things.”
With Abramovich’s property up for sale, it was likely his club was too and it was confirmed on Tuesday through Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss.
“Abramovich is trying to sell all his villas in England, he also wants to get rid of Chelsea quickly,” Wyss told the Swiss newspaper Blick.
“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. But Chelsea has no money. As of today, we don’t know the exact selling price.”
The asking price is said to be £2.6 billion (US$3.5bn) which is significantly more than the £300m (US$400m) that Abramovich originally bought it for.
The price will cover the £1.5bn (US$2bn) debt that the Russian has pumped into the west Londoners over the last 19 years.
Swiss businessman Wyss believes that, even with his £4.6bn (US$6bn) net worth, Chelsea is too expensive and would look to buy the club as part of a consortium.
“I can well imagine starting at Chelsea with partners,” he said. “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 (it will be) with a consortium consisting of six to seven investors.”
INEOS chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe considered buying the Blues in the past and has reportedly been linked with making an offer to buy the club. — Goal.com
Online Reporter