Despite his spokesman’s assertions that he was summoned by Ukraine to help broker peace talks, the oligarch is known to have close ties with Moscow and Russian President Vladimir Putin, who recently sent troops into the neighboring country.
Despite Abramovich’s decision to step back from day-to-day club management and transfer stewardship to the club’s in-house charitable foundation, it was previously believed that Chelsea FC was not for sale.
According to The Telegraph, the Russian-stance Israeli’s may be shifting amid calls for him to be sanctioned, with potential buyers encouraged by his decision to remove himself from the club, believing that he may be willing to sell for the first time.
Chelsea’s transfer to the Chelsea Foundation is said to have caught the charity’s trustees off guard, with several reportedly reconsidering their positions.
This week, Abramovich is likely to receive offers, with at least three parties interested in making a purchase. Bloomberg has reported that sports investors and private equity firms, including some from the United States, had begun to draw up proposals for a prospective takeover.
Understands in 90 minutes Sir Jim Ratcliffe, a British billionaire and entrepreneur, is one of those interested, with the financier and businessman looking into the potential of purchasing a major English football club.
A major stumbling block is the threat of sanctions from the UK government this week because the Chelsea owner might not be able to trade depending on what measures are imposed.
In the past Abramovich has rejected bids of £2.2bn for the west London club, with a similar offer certain to cover the club’s £1.51bn debt to him.
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