Chelsea’s new owners are in talks to buy Portuguese side Portimonense as part of their plans to build a multi-club network just like Manchester City.
Co-owner Todd Boehly confirmed earlier this month he is wants to set up a stable of clubs and has identified Portugal as a good country in which to buy a satellite team.
Super-agent Jorge Mendes has been consulted over clubs to consider in his homeland and discussions have been held with Portimonense, who are fourth in Portugal’s top flight.
Chelsea’s owners are also exploring the possibility of acquiring a club in Belgium, while they have been turned down by French side Sochaux and Brazilian giants Santos.
Boehly and co-owners Behdad Eghbali and Jose Feliciano are continuing to search clubs in Brazil to help them get around work permit issues. By sending a young player to South America, they have more time to establish themselves and then hopefully qualify for a permit.
City Football Group, owned by the Abu Dhabi United Group, have a stable of clubs in 11 countries, including three in Europe.
Chelsea believe an affiliation with other clubs will help give their young players top-level experience elsewhere in Europe. The possibility of helping players from weaker leagues become eligible for UK work permits, which has become harder after Brexit, is another reason behind their interest in the multi-club model.
Boehly is impressed by the Red Bull football group, who own Leipzig and Salzburg, both of whom are in the Champions League, as well as teams in the United States and Brazil.
“We’ve talked about having a multi-club model,” Boehly said at the SALT Conference earlier this month. “I would love to continue to build out the footprint. There are different countries where there are advantages to having a club. Red Bull does a good job. Manchester City has a big network of clubs.
“Our goal is to ensure pathways for our young stars to get on to the Chelsea pitch while getting them real game time. To do that is through another club in a really competitive league in Europe.”
