Abramovich is open to offers for the club
Conor McGregor has expressed an interest in buying Chelsea FC from Roman Abramovich following news that the Russian oligarch is open to offers.
On Saturday, Abramovich issued a statement saying he had ‘given stewardship and care’ of the club to the trustees of its charitable Foundation, but such a move is proving more legally complicated than originally thought.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the possibility looms of Abramovich being hit with sanctions, which could include having his assets – one of which is Chelsea – frozen. He is therefore looking to liquidate the asset to protect his own wealth and the future of the club.
Reports on Tuesday claimed as many as three interested parties were monitoring the situation at Stamford Bridge with a view to making offers before the close of the week. There is a growing belief that, for the first time since 2003, an offer for the club will be seriously considered.
Should the 54-year-old billionaire be hit with financial sanctions, his position as Chelsea owner would become untenable, and would leave the club without the finances that have bankrolled them since 2003. It has been reported that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been offered the chance to buy the club, which is valued at approximately £3bn.
And another potential buyer has thrown their hat in the ring, after MMA star Conor McGregor posted a tweet saying he ‘wishes to explore’ buying the club.
The Dubliner attached a screenshot of a WhatsApp conversation with one of his confidantes in which he said “Chelsea for sale for £3bn. Let’s buy it.”
I wish to explore this. @ChelseaFC pic.twitter.com/ABEjjCqhD7
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) March 2, 2022
In October last year, McGregor’s net worth was estimated to be £170 million, significantly less than Abramovich’s fortune of €13.1bn, so he would require quite a lot of funding from elsewhere if he were to buy the club.
Abramovich’s ownership of Chelsea has become a hot topic of discussion since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, given his ties to the Kremlin.
On Tuesday, we went to Stamford Bridge to ask Chelsea fans whether they would support a decision to strip him of his ownership.
"He was never a politician. He shouldn't be victimised." 😶
"The best thing for him to do would be to sell up." 🤑
If Roman Abramovich had Chelsea taken away from him, would Chelsea fans support the decision? 🗣 pic.twitter.com/0tTYF7JCwI
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) March 1, 2022
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