Amanda Staveley has admitted the Saudi-backed consortium that bought Newcastle last October was previously interested in buying Chelsea from Roman Abramovich.
Russian oligarch Abramovich has put the Blues on the market following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He denies links with Russian president Vladimir Putin.
Newcastle shareholder and director Staveley has also insisted it is "unfair" for Abramovich to have to sell the London club because of "geopolitical issues".
