Russian billionaire, Roman Abramovich, has set the sum of £4bn asking price for World Champions, Chelsea.
Local media reported that Abramovich is ready to sell the London club after he was barred from entering the United Kingdom amid Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
WuzupNigeria reported that 55-year-old, who bought the club in 2003, ceded control of the club to the trustees of Chelsea’s charitable Foundation last weekend.
Abramovich’s alleged ties with Russian President, Vladimir Putin, has put him in the spotlight as the British Government, according to UK Metro, faces calls to freeze the Russian’s assets.
The publication noted that the strict hammer is expected to be extended to anyone who allegedly has ties with Putin, as part of its sanctions against Russia.
Although Abramovich has denied any link with Russia’s president and turned down offers to sell Chelsea in the past, The Telegraph, Abramovich is now actively looking to sell the club and demanding a £4bn fee.
Abramovich bought Chelsea in 2003 for £140 million and according to the club’s latest accounts, he is owed £1.514 billion in loans through parent company Fordstam Limited, which he controls.
ESPN reported that when Chelsea announced their latest accounts — a £145.6m loss after tax for the year ending June 30, 2021 despite winning the Champions League — the club admitted at the time it was “reliant on Fordstam Limited for its continued financial support.”
Meanwhile, Swiss business magnate, Hansjoerg Wyss, claimed Abramovich contacted interested parties on Tuesday to sound out potential interest.
Wyss told Swiss newspaper Blick: “Abramovich is currently trying to sell all his villas in England. He also wants to get rid of Chelsea quickly now. I, along with three other people, received an offer on Tuesday to buy Chelsea from Abramovich.”
According to the interview published by Blick on Wednesday, Wyss said he would have to wait four or five days to see how things play out.
“Abramovich is asking for far too much at the moment. You know: Chelsea owes him 2 billion pounds. But Chelsea has no money. Meaning: those who buy Chelsea should compensate Abramovich.
“I can well imagine joining Chelsea with partners. But first I have to check the general conditions carefully. What I can already say, though, is that I certainly won’t do something like that on my own. If I buy Chelsea, it will be with a consortium of six or seven investors,” he said.
